MV Suquamish

Not to be confused with Suquamish, a ferry built in 1914.

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]

MV Suquamish leaving Mukilteo
History
Name	Suquamish
Owner	Washington State Department of Transportation
Operator	Washington State Ferries
Port of registry	Seattle, Washington, United States
Route	Mukilteo–Clinton ferry
Ordered	July 2015
Builder	Vigor Industrial, Seattle, Washington
Cost	$122 million (approximate)[1]
Laid down	May 2016
Launched	October 20, 2017
In service	October 4, 2018
Identification	IMO number: 9801782 MMSI number: 368027230 Callsign: WDJ9559
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class & type	Olympic-class auto/passenger ferry
Displacement	4,384 long tons (4,454 t)
Length	362 ft 3 in (110.4 m)
Beam	83 ft 2 in (25.3 m)
Draft	18 ft (5.5 m)
Depth	24 ft 6 in (7.5 m)
Decks	5 (2 vehicle decks, passenger deck, sun deck, nav bridge deck)
Deck clearance	16 ft (4.9 m)
Installed power	6,000 hp (4,500 kW) total from two EMD 12E-23B Tier IV diesel engines
Propulsion	Diesel
Speed	17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Capacity	1,500 passengers 144 vehicles (max 34 tall vehicles)
Crew	14 (12 with sun deck closed)

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]