The 70-foot, 150-passenger catamaran, designed by Chartwell Marine, is scheduled to enter construction at Derecktor’s Florida shipyard before the end of 2026
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has awarded Derecktor Shipyards a contract to build a new 70-foot, 150-passenger catamaran ferry for Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA. Construction is scheduled to begin at the shipbuilder’s Dania Beach, Florida, facility before the end of 2026. Designed by Chartwell Marine, the new vessel will provide a vital transport link between the mainland and Sapelo Island, serving residents, researchers and visitors travelling to and from the historic island in McIntosh County.
The ferry will operate between Meridian Dock on the mainland and Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island. In addition to passenger services, the catamaran will transport cargo, essential supplies, building materials and scientific equipment, supporting the island’s community and research activities.
The new vessel will become the primary ferry serving Sapelo Island, with the existing state-operated ferry retained as a reserve vessel to provide additional operational resilience.
“A reliable connection to the mainland is essential for the Sapelo Island community, as well as for visitors drawn to the island’s rich history and natural environment”, said Fred Hay, Sapelo Island Manager. “For the people who live here, the ferry is about much more than transport. It brings babies home for the first time, provides a way off the island when a tropical storm approaches, delivers everyday supplies and brings loved ones home to their final resting place. It’s more than a boat; it’s an important part of life on Sapelo.”
Fred added: “Chartwell Marine’s expertise in vessel design combined with Derecktor Shipyards’ experience made them a natural choice for this project. As the vessel moves into construction, this marks an important step in securing the future of a vital lifeline, ensuring the community can continue to rely on it and keeping this unique place accessible for years to come.”
Drawing on experience across Europe and designs tried and tested in the offshore wind industry, Chartwell Marine has adapted the vessel to the demands of the route. The design team has balanced reliability, versatility and ease of operation with the historical significance of Sapelo Island. The design is consistent with the current ferry’s look and feel, while its boarding and mooring arrangements have been developed to support accessibility and work with the docking infrastructure on the island.
Christophe Rident, Senior Naval Architect at Chartwell Marine, said: “With this project, it’s been about getting the fundamentals right and making sure the design reflects the needs of the residents, scientists and visitors alike that rely on this ferry service. We’ve worked closely with Georgia DNR to develop a vessel tailored to the route, with a focus on minimizing lifecycle costs and maintenance downtime. As Derecktor expands its new-build capacity to Florida, this project marks the yard’s first commercial ferry project, and we’re looking forward to seeing the team bring the design to life.”
Erik Derecktor, Operations Manager at Derecktor Shipyards, said: “Our team is excited to deliver a working vessel that will serve the local community on and around Sapelo Island. This ferry reinforces our commitment to passenger vessel operators, our successful collaboration with Chartwell Marine and the expanded capacity of Derecktor’s new construction program. We’ve activated new-build capacity in Florida with the people, process and build standards to deliver Georgia DNR a new ferry on time and capable of decades of reliable service. We’re excited to partner with the Chartwell team on their first commercial ferry design in the United States.”
