b'FOGHORN FOCUSThe M/V Barnstable was commissioned on Dec. 16, 2024, with a public ceremony and open house at its Hyannis Terminal. The vessels now feature vstate-of-the-art radar, communications, and navigation systems; two marine evacuation systems and a rescue boat; and an interior passenger area with seating for approximately 80 passengers.In addition to the changes in timing, pricing is differentFunding for a project of this magnitude is its own major than what it had been. The team felt they had done plen- undertaking. Davis noted that the Steamship Authority ty of research and their due diligence in carefully goingwas in a unique situation. For the acquisition of the vessels, through everything and getting pricing, but they still hadthey used internal funds. There were also grants that had some sticker shock to contend with.been awarded. They anticipated using some of the grants to fund the reconstruction of the vessels, but before theyPHOTO: STEAMSHIP AUTHORITYDavis recommended that anyone taking on a conversion orpulled the trigger, the team reached out to the local Federal new build should make sure they have enough staff on handTransitAdministration(FTA)district.Theywantedto to navigate through the project and to keep the shipyard onmake sure that their understanding of the grants was cor-target as well. We have a number of individuals assigned torect. The FTA responded with a two- or three-page letter this project, and youve got stay on top of it, he said.noting all the things the funds could be used for, but in the FOGHORN 22'