The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) christened the Holly Beach Oct. 14, marking completion of the first of two hybrid-electric ferries being built by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, Houma, La., for the Cameron crossing in Cameron Parish.
The $49.7 million project includes the Holly Beach and sister vessel Cameron, each measuring 190'×50'×13' with capacity for up to 34 vehicles. The new vessels will replace the Cameron II, which was built in 1964. Thoma-Sea is expected to complete the Cameron in late November.
Designed by Elliott Bay Design Group, the ferries will improve reliability for residents and commercial vehicles crossing the Calcasieu Ship Channel, according to DOTD. When the Cameron II is unavailable for repairs or required drydocking, a temporary side-loading ferry serves the route. That vessel cannot accommodate trucks longer than 50', forcing those vehicles to take a 100-mile detour that adds more than two hours to the trip.
The two new USCG Subchapter H ferries are intended to maintain service for large commercial vehicles when one vessel is unavailable. They will also support evacuations during hurricanes and other weather-related emergencies.
“Residents and commercial traffic rely on the ferry performing as intended, and these new ferry boats will deliver on that promise,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet said.
The two new ferries are among the first built in the United States with the Siemens Energy Blue Drive Eco hybrid propulsion system. In hybrid mode, the diesel engines share the load with the propulsion batteries. The system draws on battery power as much as possible, which lowers exhaust emissions. The vessels are also equipped with Thrustmaster azimuthing thrusters.
