Lyman-Morse has been awarded a contract to design and build a fleet of solar-powered ferries that will restore regular passenger service to a portion of the Merrimack River in Massachusetts for the first time in nearly a century.
The Thomaston-based boatbuilder is set to build three aluminum, solar-assisted electric ferries for MeVa Transit, the public transportation agency that serves the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. The project is funded by a $4.2 million federal grant.
Lyman-Morse’s Workboats division won the job through a competitive “value bid” process that weighed design and performance factors in addition to cost. The company is partnering with Newburyport naval designer William Lincoln of Response Marine, while Norwegian firm Evoy Vita Power will supply the electric propulsion systems.
Each ferry will be a 33-foot double-pontoon catamaran, capable of accommodating 18 to 22 passengers and crew, with additional space for two bicycles or scooters. Powered by twin 120-horsepower electric outboard motors, the vessels will cruise at 10–12 knots. Solar panels covering the roof will supplement the onboard batteries, while fast electric charging stations on the docks on either side of the river will offer power boosts between trips.
“Bringing this project to life is an exciting challenge,” said Jonathan Egan, director of Lyman-Morse’s Workboats Division. “We’re combining precision marine engineering with sustainable technology to deliver efficient, accessible, and environmentally responsible vessels that honor the Merrimack River’s maritime history while shaping its future.”
The ferries will feature fully flush decks to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices. Demonstration runs are expected to begin in 2026, with full service projected for 2027, connecting Haverhill, Amesbury and Newburyport. MeVa Transit plans to coordinate bus schedules with ferry departures to improve regional links.
The Merrimack River is one of the largest and most historically important waterways in New England, serving as the cradle for America’s Industrial Revolution, when mills sprouted up along its banks from Concord and Manchester, New Hampshire, to Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill, Massachusetts.
“This project represents exactly what we stand for at Lyman-Morse,” company President Drew Lyman said in a statement. “It’s a blend of innovation, design excellence, and environmental stewardship — all built right here in Maine.”
Founded in 1978, Lyman-Morse has grown into one of Maine’s premier boatbuilders, with operations spanning custom yacht construction, marina services, fabrication, and more. In addition to its main boatyard in Thomaston, the company has a large facility and marina in Camden, across the harbor from downtown.This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.