If one looks at U.S. commercial shipbuilders, the maxim »smaller is bet-ter« applies. There are a few exceptions, but the U.S. yards long ago ceded construction of the bigger deepsea vessels to foreign yards. In the realm of non-military vessels, the resurgence of the ferry business has been a source of activity; patrol boats and various workboats have also kept the builders busy. The Jones Act tanker business - which did see construction of ocean going tankers, has slowed, however Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs) have offered a bright spot. One of the most widely acclaimed vessels of 2018 sits at the intersection of two trends, the boom in passenger vessels/ ferries, and sustainability. »Enhydra«, an aluminum hulled tour boat with capacity for 600 passengers, delivered from the All American Marine (situated in Bell-ingham, Washington) to its San Francisco based owners Red & White Fleet. The vessel is described as »hybrid electric«, where lithium ion batteries power two AC electric motors (backed up by a Cummins diesel engine / generator that can turn the propellers when the battery charge is reduced). Also in the Bay Area waters, the public S.F. Bay Ferry (part of the regional transport agency »WETA«), with a fleet of 14 vessels, has been bringing in new capacity to meet the needs of rapidly growing demand. Its Strategic Plan contemplates a complement of 44 vessels, 15 years out in the future. In October, 2018, WETA, awarded a 13mill.$ contract to Mavrik Marine Inc, another West Coast yard, with a specialty in fast aluminum boats, to build a new 300 passenger high-speed ferry for 2020 delivery.
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