12 DECEMBER 2017 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: SECURITY/VESSEL REVIEW AMERICAN CRUISE LINES, GUILFORD, CT SHIPBUILDER: CHESAPEAKE SHIPBUILDING, SALISBURY, MD VESSELTYPE: OVERNIGHT CRUISE SHIP American Constellation was delivered ahead of schedule enabling the overnight small cruise ship to add two Chesapeake Bay cruises for up to 175 passengers before heading north for cruises in New England, as planned. The coastal vessel will begin cruises in the West in 2018. ARGOSY CRUISES, SEATTLE,WA SHIPBUILDER: ALL AMERICAN MARINE, BELLINGHAM,WA VESSELTYPE: EXCURSION/SIGHTSEEING Salish Explorer will take up to 500 guests around the Seattle area to enjoy a variety of events and activities, including a Northwest Native American cultural experience.  The vessel will also be adaptable to provide private event charters, ac- commodating 240-seated guests, up to 420 reception-style, and 500 passengers in summer. With three decks, one fully enclosed, one partially open and one fully open, the versatile floor plans offer both fixed and configurable interior seating, elevator accessibility, and two fully-equipped service bars. The second deck aft viewing veranda and bow foredeck provide platforms for viewing Mt. Rainier and the Seattle cityscape. The upper deck features a 360-degree viewing experience, complete with elevated observation and ceremony platform. The excursion vessel is propelled by Scania engines. CIRCLE LINE SIGHTSEEING TOURS, NEW YORK, NY SHIPBUILDER: GLADDING-HEARN, DUCLOS CORPORATION, SOMERSET, MA ARCHITECT: DEJONG & LEBET, INC.,JACKSONVILLE, FL VESSELTYPE: EXCURSION/SIGHTSEEING Circle Line Sightseeing Tours welcomed two new sight- seeing and events vessels to its fleet. Circle Line Staten Island and Circle Bronx are 165-foot monohull, 599-passenger only vessels that will take passengers on narrated cruises around the Big Apple. Both vessels were christened by award-win- ning actress Brooke Shields in June. These Subchapter K vessels each have twin Cummins QSK38-M1, EPA Tier 3-compliant diesel engines, delivering 1300 Bhp at 1800 rpm, and two ZF W3355 gearboxes. 2017 Passenger Vessel Review The passenger vessel industry is expanding across the nation with new vessels serving new and existing routes. The robust commercial maritime marketplace continues to flourish in many cities with growing ridership, particularly in the ferry segment of the passenger vessel industry. American Cruise Lines’ American Constellation (left) Argosy Cruises’ Salish Explorer (top right) Circle Line Sightseeing Tours’ Circle Line Bronx.