VDOT has released new photos documenting the construction of the newest Jamestown-Scotland ferry boat, the Powhatan.
The photos, which were tweeted Thursday by VDOT, show the 70-car boat on dry land in a dockyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
In the images, a crane sits near the port side of the boat and a set of metal stairs leads up to the bow.
While construction was originally expected to be complete by this spring, the boat is now expected to join the fleet later this year, VDOT said in the tweet.
The boat is expected to start sea trials this summer.
The Powhatan will take the place of the 28-car Virginia, which is 82 years old.
The ferry is named after Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas’ father and chief of the Algonquin tribes in eastern Virginia, VDOT said in September.
The ferry is included in the state’s six-year improvement plan for 2013-2018, which allocates $2.5 million for the vessel’s design and $25 million for construction.
Both the James City County and Surry County Board of Supervisors passed resolutions in support of the new name.
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation also submitted a letter to the transportation board suggesting VDOT find a way to “highlight the story of Powhatan” on board the vessel.
The Powhatan will join three other ships in the Jamestown-Scotland fleet including the 50-car Williamsburg, 50-car Surry and 70-car Pocahontas.
