WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Pequots finish ferry for California company (New London-WTNH) _ Despite speculation to the contrary, the Mashantucket Pequots are not giving-up on their hi-speed ferry businesses. In fact the tribe seems determined to continue to build new boats, and to operate the ones it already owns. Officials told News Channel 8 they're planning to resume ferry service between New London and Martha's Vineyard for the summer, and a $7-million boat the tribe built for a California Company is in the water and almost ready to go. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports. The Pequot River Shipworks' latest product is almost ready to ship-out. The finishing touches are being put on the 'Starship Express', a hi-speed catamaran that will ultimately serve passengers in California. Greg Bombard, "Catalina Express Inc.": "She'll be the biggest and the premier of the fleet, the newest boat on line. "This is a diesel boat and I think it'll be one of the fastest in the US." It's similar but not identical to the tribe's first two ferries. This all-aluminum boat is smaller and less-powerful than Sassacus or Tatobam, but arguably just as important. This is the first boat the Pequots' shipyard has designed and built for someone other than the tribe. And it won't be the last. There are two more ferries that are nearly finished. One is going to a company in the Bahamas, the other to a South American firm for use in Florida. But it's this first of its class ferry that officials are counting on to attract new customers. Ken Brown, Pequot River Shipworks: "We think it'll get a lot more visibility for the shipworks, not only on this coast as they travel around to the west, but also out there when it goes into operation." The boat's owner agrees. He says this vessel's unique design is going to make it a big hit with his passengers. Fast, comfortable, and at $7 million affordable. When they see it in action, he thinks other ferry companies will want one just like it. Bombard: "I just think that this will be a real bonus for the shipyard. I think this boat has got a lot of what everybody else is looking for in the industry." Meantime the tribe's gearing up for renewed ferry service out to Martha's Vineyard. It went well enough last summer to deserve a second chance this summer. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Pequots finish ferry for California company
(New London-WTNH) _ Despite speculation to the contrary, the Mashantucket Pequots are not giving-up on their hi-speed ferry businesses. In fact the tribe seems determined to continue to build new boats, and to operate the ones it already owns. Officials told News Channel 8 they're planning to resume ferry service between New London and Martha's Vineyard for the summer, and a $7-million boat the tribe built for a California Company is in the water and almost ready to go.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.

The Pequot River Shipworks' latest product is almost ready to ship-out. The finishing touches are being put on the 'Starship Express', a hi-speed catamaran that will ultimately serve passengers in California.

Greg Bombard, "Catalina Express Inc.": "She'll be the biggest and the premier of the fleet, the newest boat on line.
"This is a diesel boat and I think it'll be one of the fastest in the US."

It's similar but not identical to the tribe's first two ferries. This all-aluminum boat is smaller and less-powerful than Sassacus or Tatobam, but arguably just as important.

This is the first boat the Pequots' shipyard has designed and built for someone other than the tribe. And it won't be the last. There are two more ferries that are nearly finished. One is going to a company in the Bahamas, the other to a South American firm for use in Florida. But it's this first of its class ferry that officials are counting on to attract new customers.

Ken Brown, Pequot River Shipworks: "We think it'll get a lot more visibility for the shipworks, not only on this coast as they travel around to the west, but also out there when it goes into operation."

The boat's owner agrees. He says this vessel's unique design is going to make it a big hit with his passengers. Fast, comfortable, and at $7 million affordable. When they see it in action, he thinks other ferry companies will want one just like it.

Bombard: "I just think that this will be a real bonus for the shipyard. I think this boat has got a lot of what everybody else is looking for in the industry."

Meantime the tribe's gearing up for renewed ferry service out to Martha's Vineyard. It went well enough last summer to deserve a second chance this summer.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.