Glosten to design Skagit County all-electric vehicle/passenger ferry

Skagit County in the US state of Washington has selected Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy Glosten to design an all-electric vehicle/passenger ferry to replace current vessel M/V Guemes. M/V Guemes has provided service between Anacortes and Guemes Island, WA since 1979, and is nearing the end of its economically useful life. With a capacity of 99 passengers and 21 vehicles, the vessel forms a primary mode of transit for residents of and visitors to Guemes Island. “This ferry is a critical transportation link in our community,” said Captain Rachel Rowe, ferry operations division manager. “We are pleased to work with an accomplished team like Glosten to design the vessel that will serve this island for years to come.” One of Glosten’s early tasks is to quantitatively evaluate propulsion system options, including electric, hybrid and geared diesel – an objective analysis that has not been performed to date. This study will give the county the information needed to be confident in its selection of a propulsion system. Glosten has designed and modified passenger vessels for agencies across North America, including Alaska, British Columbia, California, New York and Washington. The firm recently designed a hybrid passenger-only ferry for Kitsap Transit, and is currently developing Alabama’s Gee’s Bend all-electric ferry conversion. “What excites us about the Skagit vessel is the opportunity to shape the future of transit for a community,” said Glosten project manager/design lead William Moon. “We are committed to supporting the county’s vision of an all-electric ferry, and are ready to put in the work to develop a vessel that can serve this county for another 40 years.”