Powerful thruster for Savannah River ‘Belle’
Savannah, Georgia’s newest passenger ferry will be equipped with Washington USA based Wesmar’s model V2 18 inch all stainless steel dual prop, counter rotating bow thruster for docking and positioning.
The system will be powered by Wesmar’s signature hydraulics.
he 67 foot long T-Class ferry will be delivered in the autumn and will carry up to 150 passengers from downtown Savannah to the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island. The thrusters will be used to maneuver in crowded waters and to safely snug up close to the docks and hold tight, to load and unload passengers. This is one of dozens of passenger ferries around the world with Wesmar bow thrusters.
The ferry, designed by the Jacksonville, Florida naval architectural firm of DeJong and Lebet for the Chatham Area Transit Authority of Savannah, is being built by Custom Steel Boats, Inc of Merrit in Georgia.
The Mary Musgrove will join two other ferries, affectionately called The Belles, to provide passage across the sometimes turbulent and swift Savannah River. Although less than a quarter mile, the crossing presents a strong current amid a mix of tour boats, ferries, tugs and ocean-going vessels. The ferries are all named after Savannah women of historic significance.
