b'FOGHORN FOCUS Works in ProgressA LOOK AHEADIn the next few years, several PVA operators across the country will be expanding their fleets with new vessels. Designed and built by PVA member naval architects and shipyards,theseshipswillrangefromferriestocruise ships.Somewillincorporatealternativepropulsion systems,manywillfeaturethelatesttechnologiesto enhance the customer experience. Following is an over-view of some of the vessels underway. VESSEL:Captain Almer DinsmoreNAVAL ARCHITECT:Gilbert Associates, IncBUILDER:Senesco MarineOPERATOR:Maine State Ferry ServiceTYPE:Passenger and vehicle ferryThe Captain Almer Dinsmore is a 154 hybrid diesel-electric passenger/vehicle ferry designed by Gilbert Associates, Inc and currently being built at Senesco Marine for the Maine State Ferry Service. The vessel is a sister to the conventional diesel propelled Captain Richard Spear, anoth-er Maine State Ferry which launched in 2021. The Captain Almer Dins-more was launched in November and is expected to be commissioned in early 2025.The Subchapter K vessel has a carrying capacity of 250 passengers and 23 PHOTO: GILBERT ASSOCIATES INC.vehicles or a combination of two heavy trucks and cars. The diesel propul-sion consists of two Caterpillar C-18 engines coupled to two dual input gearboxes. The electric propulsion consists of 170 kW electric motors, batteries, and a power management system that is coupled to the second input of the same reduction gears. With this hybrid configuration, the vessel is expected to have up to 35 percent emissions savings compared to its sister vessel the Captain Richard Spear.FOGHORN 32'