NOVEMBER 2017 • FOGHORN 35 MEMBERNEWS advantage of wildlife sightings and to ensure there’s maximize time off the ship for exploring. Designed with decades of expedition experience in the region, the vessel also features open decks, generous windows, and specialty tools for exploration, such as a fleet of kayaks, paddleboards, and specially designed landing craft, depending on the itinerary. In addition, the new vessel provides the Lindblad Expeditions’ guests with comfortable accommodations, flexible dining options and advanced technical equipment for presentations and dis- cussions. A common constraint with wildlife viewing on a ship’s bow is that the anchoring gear takes up space and a single level allows only one row of guests to enjoy clean sightlines. Jensen Maritime cleverly designed Quest’s bow so that the anchoring gear is separated from guest space by a tiered viewing system—this enables multiple rows of guests to line the bow with unobstructed views. Two stairways on either side of the bow lead to an expansive observation deck one level up for a unique perspective. Even the bridge’s designated forward standing area beacons passengers to comfort- ably while wildlife watching with nat- uralists and enjoying the vantage point that a ship’s bridge provides. n North Carolina Ferry Orders New Vessel The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a $9.7 million contract for construction of a new river class vehicle ferry for the N.C. Ferry Division, a long-time PVA vessel member. The vessel is due to be delivered by March 1, 2019. “This is a great first step in phasing out our smaller boats and replacing them with larger ones,” said Ferry Division Director Harold Thomas. “Eventually it will allow us to increase our capacity with the same number of scheduled trips.” The new ferry will be 183 feet long and have room for 38 regular-sized vehicles. It will replace the smaller, 22-year-old M/V Thomas A. Baum, a Hatteras- class ferry that carries 26 vehicles. Once built, the new vessel will be the Ferry Division’s first new car ferry since the M/V Sea Level was christened in 2012. n Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Quest. Ian Strachan ©2017