BHC Fast Ferry Returns After Engine Refit
Salacia (Photo courtesy of BHC)
(Photo courtesy of BHC)
(Photo courtesy of BHC)
Boston Harbor Cruises’ (BHC) Provincetown fast ferry, Salacia, has returned to service following an almost $3 million engine refit which saw the vessel in dry dock from January through May 2015.
BHC commissioned the installation of four MTU 12V4000M64 engines from Stewart & Stevenson Power Products, LLC. The engines were manufactured by Rolls Royce Power Systems subsidiary MTU, and assembled in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
The MTU engines will reduce Salacia’s diesel emissions while increasing efficiency and reliability. According to BHC, Salacia is the first Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier III Certified Emission Level vessel operating in Boston Harbor.
Chris Nolan, principal of Boston Harbor Cruises said the Salacia rebuild was performed at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset, Mass., where the vessel was originally built 15 years ago. “[Gladding-Hearn] were instrumental throughout the rebuild and were a great resource for new design planning,” Nolan said. “It would have been difficult to complete the job elsewhere.”
The engines are equipped with new ZF reduction gears custom built for Salacia, which allows the vessel to transfer the torque between the engine and water jet impellers. Two Rolls Royce Power Systems’ technicians from Finland helped to rebuild the vessel’s water jets. The ride control trim tab system, which keeps the vessel running smoothly, was also rebuilt. These improvements will enable passengers to enjoy a faster, smoother and quieter ride this season, BHC said.
“We are pleased that Salacia had a great test run and she is officially back in service,” said Alison Nolan, principal and general manager of Boston Harbor Cruises. “The engines are running beautifully. We look forward to the season ahead and are happy we will be able to provide our customers with a faster and more comfortable ride to Provincetown this summer and many summers to come.”
Salacia is a catamaran with capacity for 600 passengers. Salacia, among the fastest vessels on the East Coast, transports passengers from Long Wharf in Boston to MacMillan Wharf in Provincetown, the tip of Cape Cod, in just 90-minutes.
Prior to this year’s engine refit, Salacia last year underwent extensive overhaul of the interior.
