The first two passenger vessels built by Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark for Potomac Riverboat Company have been delivered to Washington, DC and are now in service.
The two 88ft 149-passenger high-speed aluminium catamaran vessels Potomac Taxi I and Potomac Taxi II departed Metal Shark’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard in mid-September, travelled to the Gulf of Mexico and crossed Florida via Lake Okeechobee before proceeding northward up the Atlantic coast to Washington, D.C.
Powered by twin Scania DI13 081M engines delivering 500hp at 1,800rpm, the USCG Subchapter T vessels feature an environmentally friendly low wake/low wash hull design.
Both vessels commenced operations on in October, with runs from Georgetown and Alexandria to The Wharf in Washington D.C. for a grand opening ceremony.
The new vessels will provide commuters in the Washington DC metro region with services between Old Town Alexandria, Virginia; National Harbor, Maryland; and Georgetown and The Wharf in Washington DC.
