MBTA christens new passenger catamaran ferry, plans to bring second ferry online in 2018

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A boat christening ceremony held on Wednesday in Boston marked the addition of a 150-passenger catamaran ferry, named the Champion, to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) fleet.

The high-speed ferry will make 38 weekday trips between Hingham, Hull, Logan Airport and Boston, including 40 trips on Fridays only. Weekend service will include 32 trips between Hingham, Hull, Logan Airport and Boston on Saturdays and 28 trips on Sundays, from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

“The introduction of the Champion, and the upcoming introduction of the second brand new catamaran, the Glory, mark smart investments in Greater Boston water transportation,” Luis Manuel Ramírez, the general manager of MBTA, said. “The MBTA is pleased to welcome them into the fleet.”

Built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, the Champion boasts flat screen passenger information systems, energy-efficient LED lighting, carpeted interiors and decks, table settings for 110 passengers, concessions, and luggage racks.

The Champion is named in honor of master shipbuilder Donald McKay’s clipper, “Champion of the Seas,” which recorded the fastest day’s run in 24 hours 1854 and served passengers in East Boston as the new iteration.

Glory, which MBTA plans to bring into service late next year, will be named in honor of another McKay clipper, Glory of the Seas. Each new ferry costs approximately $5.7 million and will be paid for with federal funds.