MV Suquamish

Not to be confused with Suquamish, a ferry built in 1914.
MV Suquamish leaving Mukilteo
History
NameSuquamish
OwnerWashington State Department of Transportation
OperatorWashington State Ferries
Port of registrySeattle, Washington, United States
RouteMukilteo–Clinton ferry
OrderedJuly 2015
BuilderVigor Industrial, Seattle, Washington
Cost$122 million (approximate)[1]
Laid downMay 2016
LaunchedOctober 20, 2017
In serviceOctober 4, 2018
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeOlympic-class auto/passenger ferry
Displacement4,384 long tons (4,454 t)
Length362 ft 3 in (110.4 m)
Beam83 ft 2 in (25.3 m)
Draft18 ft (5.5 m)
Depth24 ft 6 in (7.5 m)
Decks5 (2 vehicle decks, passenger deck, sun deck, nav bridge deck)
Deck clearance16 ft (4.9 m)
Installed power6,000 hp (4,500 kW) total from two EMD 12E-23B Tier IV diesel engines
PropulsionDiesel
Speed17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Capacity
  • 1,500 passengers
  • 144 vehicles (max 34 tall vehicles)
Crew14 (12 with sun deck closed)

MV Suquamish is an Olympic-class ferry that is operated by Washington State Ferries and the inaugural sailing was at 12:30pm on October 4, 2018. The vessel carries 144 cars and 1,500 passengers.[2]

She primarily serves as a maintenance relief boat for other ferries, but also sails regularly on the Mukilteo–Clinton route during the summer peak with her sister ship, the MV Tokitae.[3]

History

On March 16, 2016, the Washington State Transportation Commission chose to name the ferry Suquamish after the Suquamish tribe.[4] Two other names, Cowlitz and Sammamish, were also considered for the ferry but ultimately rejected.[5]

At the keel laying in May 2016, Suquamish tribe members blessed the boat and were joined by Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Christine Rolfes in a ceremonial weld strike.[6] The ferry's superstructure was assembled in Tacoma, while the hull and car deck was built in Seattle.[7] The superstructure was moved to Seattle for final assembly in August 2017 and completed sea trials in July 2018.[8] The Suquamish was placed on the Mukilteo–Clinton route and entered service on October 4, 2018.[9]

References

  1. ^ Washington State Department of Transportation. "Ferries - Olympic Class (144-Car) Ferries". Retrieved March 12, 2017. Suquamish, the fourth Olympic Class ferry: The total budget to build vessel is $122 million.
  2. ^ "144 Car Ferries". WSDOT Ferries Division.
  3. ^ "Ferry Suquamish to serve Mukilteo/Clinton route during busiest seasons" (Press release). Washington State Department of Transportation. December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  4. ^ "New ferry will be named Suquamish". Kitsap Sun. March 16, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  5. ^ Clarridge, Christine (December 29, 2015). "Newest state ferry will need a name, and not just any name will do". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  6. ^ Friedrich, Ed (May 10, 2016). "Suquamish members help new ferry get off to good start". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  7. ^ Cockrell, Debbie (August 15, 2017). "Here's the back story on that giant ferry piece leaving Tacoma". The News Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  8. ^ Greenstone, Scott (August 16, 2017). "Half a future 144-car ferry travels to Seattle for final assembly". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  9. ^ Brown, Andrea (October 5, 2018). "Brand spanking new ferry Suquamish launches into service". The Everett Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
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