Commercial fast ferry technology is one of the ship concepts that the U.S. Navy is evaluating. Speed, shallow draft, and maneuverability allow fast ferries to perform missions that would place larger, multimission ships in vulnerable positions. Relatively low cost and high reliability make fast ferries attractive candidates for augmenting the fleet. This article reviews the ferry transportation surge in the United States, looks at the world's leading producer of high-speed passenger and vehicular ferries - Incat Australia, and examines the U.S. Navy's theater support vessel (TSV) program. Also discussed is the U.S. Department of Defense initiative, the littoral combatant ship program. It is concluded that the U.S. military's embrace of fast ferry technology is expected to increase. The Army has budgeted for seven TSVs and is preparing a request for proposals. Additional military orders of the vessels are expected. As military applications of these vessels develop, technological advances and refinements will be added, which may transfer back to the commercial venue.
Abstract