b'VESSEL:Yankee Freedom IVOPERATOR:Yankee FleetNAVAL ARCHITECT:Incat CrowtherBUILDER:Gladding-Hearn ShipbuildingTYPE:Excursion vesselYankee Fleet in Key West, Fla., will revitalize its fleet next summer with the addition of Yankee Freedom IV. The high-speed catamaran will carry up to 300 passengers on day ex-cursions from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. The vessel will replace Yankee Freedom III which was also built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in 2012.The 113 all-aluminum catamaran was designed by fellow PVA member Incat Crowther and will have a top speed over 28 knots. The new, larger ferry will be powered by a pair of mtu 12V-4000M65R EPA Tier 4-compliant diesel engines, each delivering 2,000 Bhp at 1,600 rpm. The twin gear-boxes will be ZF model 8000. The ferry will be equipped with an EPA Tier 3-approved genset with the addition of exhaust gas treatment. A Humphree active interceptor ride control system will be installed to control vessel pitch and roll. Multiple solar panels will power the vessels running lights and the pilothouses electronics.The main cabin will include seating for 130 passengers, ta-bles, a snack bar, and an audio/visual passenger information PHOTO: GLADDING-HEARN SHIPBUILDINGcenter. Seats and tables will be by Beurteaux and ceilings by Dampa. On the aft deck will be an open covered area with four passenger heads, a shower area, and stowage for kayaks and camping gear. A two-level platform and handrails will be installed on the open bow deck for passenger viewing. The second deck includes the pilothouse forward and an enclosed cabin with seating and tables for 60 passengers, and exterior seating for 72 passengers aft. The third deck will have additional outside seating for 40 passengers. W hile 2025 was a busy year for vessel deliveries and launches in the passenger vessel industry, the next few years look to be just as packed with a long list of vessels in the works or scheduled to lanch. Fleets from the Florida Keys to Alaska will soon be ex-panding with the arrival of new boats. Some PVA members are working on projects renovating or reimagining ships that already exist, one including a steam engine from 1915. Others have been working with cutting-edge technology on vessels sure to be the first of their kind. 33 DECEMBER 2025'