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When the long-time operators of the National Park Service passenger route from Key West, Florida, to Dry Tortugas National Park were looking to keep that contract and further upgrade the quality of their offerings in that market, they did what most satisÞ ed customers would do: they went back to the builder of their current vessel, Massachusetts-based Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. The original boat used by Yankee Fleet in this service, built in 1998, provided reliable service over the years, but new contract requirements and changes in certain regulatory regimes ultimately made its replacement necessary. With the new Yankee Freedom III now in service, having been delivered in October of 2012, the Yankee Freedom II has been sold to a northeast operator and is currently undergoing modiÞ cations at Ð you guessed it Ð the Gladding-Hearn Shipyard in Somerset, MA. In addition to being repowered with new engines, the vessel will receive some internal refurbishment before continuing with its service life in New England. INCAT -CROWTHER DESIGNED YANKEE FREEDOM IIIAfter inking a new 10-year contract with the National Park Service (NPS) for passenger service between Key West, Fla., and the Dry Tortugas National Park, Massachusetts-based Yankee Fleet ordered the new 250-passenger, high-speed catamaran to replace the ferry operatorÕs interim vessel, Yankee Freedom II. Although the newer, larger vessel, designed by Incat-Crowther, closely resembles the Yankee Freedom II in order to retain Yankee FleetÕs strong brand presence in this trade, the new hull boasts many improvements. NPS requirements dictated that Yankee Freedom III provide a higher level of service and more seating options. Gladding-Hearn Delivers with Repeat, Proven Business in 2012 By Joseph Keefe, editor (Photo courtesy of Billy Black) 24 MNJanuary 2013 MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 24MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 241/2/2013 2:24:46 PM1/2/2013 2:24:46 PM
