On the other coast, the West or some say Best Coast, Catalina Jet took delivery of their new 37 knot catamaran built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders to serve the Long Beach to Catalina Island route. Catalina Express took delivery of their new catamaran built by Pequot River Shipworks to serve the same route. Lest we leave out an important market the Great Lakes let me note that Island Express Boat Lines took delivery of its new Surface Effect Ship and is busy plying those inland waters. Many of you will note that the emphasis to date has been on passenger-only vessels, but do not be dismayed. It hasn t taken shipowners long to recognize that Americans like their cars, especially on vacations, so I am confident that we will see significant growth in this market.
Ferries are an integral part of America s maritime policy.
Because Washington State is blessed with one of the world s finest harbors I know that I do not have to preach the importance of the U.S. Maritime Transportation System to this audience. Seattle and Tacoma thrive due to the Pacific Rim trade that has supplanted Europe as the major U.S. trade partner. The Washington State Ferry has operated for years transporting thousands of Washingtonians from often isolated islands to the mainland. Alaska and Hawaii also have long turned to ferries to solve their geographic challenges. In the 1990s we saw a resurgence of interest in ferries in many cities with the arrival of fast ferries.