US-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered two passenger vessels to Entertainment Cruises' unit Potomac Riverboat Company.

The 88ft-long, high-speed aluminium catamarans were built at Metal Shark’s shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana, and have already entered service by sailing from Georgetown and Alexandria to The Wharf in Washington DC, US.

The new ‘Potomac Taxi I’ and ‘Potomac Taxi II’ catamarans are designed to carry 149 passengers each.

Both vessels have been equipped with an environmentally friendly low-wake / low-wash hull and are powered by a pair of Scania DI13 081M diesel engines, which deliver 500HP at 1,800RPM.

The new USCG Subchapter T-type vessels were designed by BMT Designers and Planners and BMT Nigel Gee.

Metal Shark Commercial Sales director Carl Wegener said: “We commenced construction on these vessels in March and completed them in six months.”

The company was also selected by passenger vessel operator Hornblower to build five high-speed aluminium catamarans last month.

The order will see Metal Shark construct four 97ft-long, 28ft-wide vessels, which will be able to accommodate 350 passengers each.

It also includes the construction of a 85ft, 150-passenger USCG Subchapter T-type vessel.

The vessels are currently under construction at Metal Shark’s Franklin shipyard and will be delivered by next year.

Image: The Potomac Taxi II vessel operated by Potomac Riverboat Company. Photo: courtesy of Metal Shark.