SSG Michael H. Ollis, departed ESG’s facility in Port St. Joe last Friday, fully certified and passenger ready. The ship was constructed by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, and it is the first of three new Ollis-class ferries for New York City’s Staten Island Ferry service. The Ollis boat is named after U.S. Army soldier Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, a Staten Island native, who died shielding fellow soldiers from a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2013.
“We are proud to deliver Staten Island Ferry MV SSG MICHAEL H. OLLIS to New York City,” stated Joey D’Isernia, President of Eastern Shipbuilding Group. “It is the first vessel of the modernized fleet and boasts the most advanced technology and environmental engineering in the maritime industry. It’s been an honor for Eastern to build this class named after one of our fallen heroes and deliver state of the art vessels for the world’s busiest passenger-ferry route. This iconic vessel transports millions of tourists and residents every year. It is a critical maritime infrastructure project that was proudly built by hardworking American ship designers and builders.”
Compared to existing Staten Island Ferries, the new vessels will be more capable of operating safely in extreme weather conditions. They also feature more comfortable seating, phone-charging outlets and an oval upper-deck promenade.
At BOATLAW, LLP, we are proud to represent clients hurt in ferry boats in New York City. If you or a loved one has been injured aboard a ferry, our maritime injury attorneys will begin fighting for maximum compensation in your case today. Your first consultation is free, so call 1-800-262-8529 today and schedule yours.
Photo courtesy Eastern Shipbuilding Group
