Posted on August 17, 2026
Lyman-Morse launched Firefly, the first fully electric, lithium-iron-phosphate-battery-powered passenger vessel built to meet U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T requirements, on August 3, 2026, at the company’s shipyard in Thomaston, Maine.
Lyman-Morse Workboats custom built the 49-foot aluminum catamaran for Upstream Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people with nature through on-the-water education and conservation programs. Designed by Gerr Marine, Firefly will operate from Camden, New Jersey, and serve as a floating classroom, science laboratory, and research platform on the Delaware River.
The launch represents a significant milestone for both the project and the commercial marine industry. Firefly brings together solar generation, electric propulsion, lithium-ion energy storage and the rigorous safety requirements governing U.S. Coast Guard-inspected small passenger vessels.
“Launching Firefly is the culmination of an unusually complex and rewarding build,” said Lance Buchanan, project manager at Lyman-Morse. “As the first fully electric, lithium-ion-powered Subchapter T passenger vessel, she required us to integrate emerging propulsion and energy-storage technologies with the demanding safety and operating requirements of a Coast Guard-inspected vessel. Our entire team is proud to help establish a new benchmark for practical, emissions-free marine transportation.”
Measuring approximately 49 feet long with a beam of 20 feet, 3 inches and a draft of approximately 3 feet, 8 inches, Firefly is designed to carry 32 passengers. Its wide, stable catamaran platform provides flexible space for classroom instruction, water-quality testing, scientific research, and other hands-on environmental activities.
Upstream Alliance works to connect people with nature and advance clean water, public access and coastal resilience. The organization brings students, educators, community members, environmental advocates, and decision-makers out on the water so they can gain a firsthand understanding of environmental challenges and participate in developing solutions. Firefly will serve as a model for how clean marine technology can support environmental education, community access, and sustainable passenger transportation in other coastal and river communities.
Subchapter T of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations establishes U.S. Coast Guard requirements for small passenger vessels carrying 150 or fewer passengers. Building the first fully electric vessel using lithium-iron-phosphate batteries within that regulatory framework required close coordination among Lyman-Morse, Gerr Marine, equipment suppliers, and the Coast Guard throughout the design, construction, and systems-integration process.
Firefly is powered by two QuietTorque 60.0 LC electric motors supplied by Electric Yacht and a bank of Lithionics lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, an advanced lithium-ion battery chemistry that replaces cobalt with iron phosphate for a stable, less-toxic energy-storage solution. Twenty-four bifacial JinkoSolar photovoltaic panels mounted above the passenger deck will collect energy from direct sunlight as well as light reflected from the deck and surrounding surfaces, to help recharge the batteries and support the vessel’s onboard operations. The propulsion system is designed to provide a cruising speed of approximately 9 knots and a maximum speed of 11 to 12 knots.
“Firefly is more than a new boat—it represents an entirely new opportunity for environmental education and sustainable transportation,” said Don Baugh, president and founder of Upstream Alliance. “Students will be able to study the river, test water quality, and experience clean-energy technology not as an abstract idea, but as something carrying them quietly across the water.”
Once delivered, Firefly will be based in Camden, New Jersey, an underserved community located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. During the school day, the vessel will host environmental education programs for middle- and high-school students. Partner organizations will also be able to use Firefly for community programs, scientific research, and educational excursions. The vessel will be equipped to carry kayaks, allowing students and other participants to explore tributaries, shorelines, and shallow areas that cannot be reached aboard the larger catamaran. Its deck can also accommodate tents for overnight educational expeditions.
“Everything about the vessel has been shaped by its mission,” Buchanan said. “The stability of the catamaran, the open working deck, the quiet propulsion system, and the ability to carry students and equipment all support the kind of hands-on learning Upstream Alliance wants to provide. This is highly advanced technology being put to work for a very practical and meaningful purpose.”
Lyman-Morse Workboats was selected to construct Firefly following a competitive bidding process. The company’s ability to manage custom aluminum construction, electrical systems, battery integration, solar equipment and final outfitting within its Maine facilities was central to its selection.
Lyman-Morse Workboats led the aluminum construction and early systems integration, after which the vessel was moved to the company’s main Thomaston boatyard for final installation and outfitting. The build brought together the skills of Lyman-Morse’s aluminum fabricators, electricians, mechanics, systems technicians, and finish specialists. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the expertise and professionalism of Lyman-Morse,” Baugh said. “They have an exemplary team.”
“This project demonstrates the importance of having multiple disciplines working together under one roof,” Buchanan added. “On a fully electric passenger vessel, weight, energy consumption, charging capacity, operating range and passenger safety are all interconnected. Our team had to approach the vessel as one complete, integrated system.”
Following the early-August launch, Lyman-Morse will conduct dockside commissioning and sea trials to verify Firefly’s propulsion, battery, charging, navigation, safety and onboard operating systems. After testing and regulatory requirements are completed, the vessel will begin its delivery journey from Maine to its new home on the Delaware River.
For those wishing to follow Firefly’s delivery:
- Upstream Alliance subscribers will receive regular e-mail updates as Firefly makes her way down the coast to Camden, New Jersey. Click here to subscribe (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/7pIZ1Fk).
- We will regularly update our Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/upstreamalliance/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/upstreamalliance/) with pictures and videos of the voyage and the crew.
- Take a look at the Upstream Alliance website (https://www.upstreamalliance.org/fireflyhomepage) for more Firefly-related information and a real time tracker
