Community Corner

Rhode Island Fast Ferry Adding New Ferry to Martha's Vineyard

The newly constructed Ava Pearl will begin travel between Martha's Vineyard and Quonset Point, RI this month

The Rhode Island Fast Ferry announced that it will add a newly constructed $6 million dollar state-of-the art fast ferry, the “Ava Pearl” to its Martha's Vineyard route. The vessel, being built at Gladding-Hearn Shipyard in Somerset, Massachusetts will be put into service mid-June.  

“We are excited to be able to provide the latest in fast ferry technology to the visitors of Martha’s Vineyard traveling from Quonset Point, Rhode Island to Oak Bluffs Martha’s Vineyard during the busy summer months, we will be celebrating our tenth season and our passengers will truly be benefiting from our success” said President Charles A. Donadio, Jr.

The new 150-passenger ferry Ava Pearl designed by Incat Crowther of Australia, will replace the current vessel 400 passenger “Millennium" catamaran. The Ava Pearl has been designed to meet the needs of the service route and its passengers; the ferry will be lighter having only two EPA Tier 2-approved diesel engines and driven by propellers to make this vessel making the ferry more fuel efficient. The new ferry features an “S” bow shape, a large dynamic active trim-tab ride-control system and higher freeboard which will give the ferry the latest in seakeeping technology to enhance passenger comfort.

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The interior cabin space will be all business-class service with more leg room, luxurious Beurteaux seating, along with a snack bar, two restrooms, and five flat-screen TV monitors. There is a separate luggage area forward and rear as well as space for bicycles on the aft deck. Outdoor seating will be provided on the forward bow with the upper deck featuring outside sundeck as well as protected outdoor seating.

"The Ava Pearl will set the bar to the highest level with comfort amenities, seakeeping technology and of course customer service, the company and its employees are excited to be on the cutting edge of the high-speed ferry technology," said Donadio.

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Rhode Island Fast Ferry provides ferry service from Quonset Point to Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard and Sightseeing Cruises from late May through October.  Reservations are highly recommended and can be made on their website at www.vineyardfastferry.com or www.rhodeislandbaycruises.com

call (401) 295-4040.

 

Editor's Note: This information was taken from a Press Release


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