Vessels: The Manitowoc Company Launches Second Staten Island Ferry

Marinette Marine Corporation, a subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. launched the ferry Sen. John J. Marchi for New York City's Department of Transportation on Saturday, May 8. This 310-ft. ferry is the second of three Staten Island Ferries to be built as part of a $120-million contract that was awarded to Manitowoc in 2001.

The launch ceremony featured Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of New York, as the keynote speaker, with Mrs. Maria Luisa Marchi, Senator Marchi's wife and the ship's sponsor, performing the traditional christening ceremony.

"This series of cutting-edge ferries demonstrates the strengths of our Marinette shipyard. We are proud to be part of the Staten Island Ferry's 98-year history and to continue our tradition of service to government customers like the New York City Department of Transportation," said Dennis McCloskey, president of Manitowoc's Marine Group.

Named after a New York State Senator and respected community leader, the John J. Marchi is the 25th ferryboat built to serve the Staten Island-to-Manhattan route since the ferry became a municipal service in 1905. The Staten Island Ferries run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and carry approximately 65,000 passengers daily on the 5.2 mile run between the St. George Terminal on Staten Island and the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan.

In addition to the Staten Island Ferries being built for the New York City Department of Transportation, Marinette Marine is under contract to build the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) for the U.S. Navy and a new Great Lakes icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard.