The Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine State Ferry Service recently co-hosted a commissioning ceremony for the M/V Captain Almer Dinsmore ferry vessel.
[Above photo by Maine DOT]
The commissioning ceremony at Maine State Ferry Service headquarters in Rockland, ME, marked the official introduction of the 154-foot M/V Dinsmore – the first hybrid diesel-electric ferry designed and built in New England – into service on the Rockland–Vinalhaven route. It can carry up to 250 passengers and 23 vehicles, Maine DOT noted.
The vessel is named after Captain Almer Leighton Dinsmore, born in 1946 and raised in Steuben, ME.
His 45-year career at sea included service with the Maine State Ferry Service from 1978 until his retirement in 2013.
Maine DOT noted that Dinsmore first piloted the Everett Libby on the Swan’s Island route and served as a relief captain for several island communities before becoming the Libby’s permanent captain in 1987.
His work reflected a lasting commitment to the residents and workers who depend on ferry transportation, the agency said.
“It is a tremendous honor to have my name on this vessel,” said Captain Dinsmore in a statement. “The most meaningful part of my career was serving the island residents and working alongside dedicated crews. I am proud that this ferry will carry that commitment forward for Vinalhaven and the people who travel there.”
“Today’s commissioning is about the future of Maine’s ferry service and the people who have built its proud tradition of service,” added Dale Doughty, Maine DOT commissioner. “The Captain Almer Dinsmore brings a new generation of ferry technology to the Rockland–Vinalhaven route while honoring a captain whose career reflected a deep commitment to Maine’s island communities.”
States
New Bridges Connect States Over the Mississippi River
November 13, 2026
States
