A new vessel is operating on the waters of the Puget Sound. Last April, San Juan Ferry & Barge selected Seattle-based
Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) to complete the Contract Design for a new landing craft, the M/V HENRY ISLAND. In order to deliver the vessel in time for the busy summer season, EBDG designed and lofted the landing craft simultaneously, allowing shipyard
Latitude Marine Services of La Conner Washington to begin cutting steel in December 2002.
The 81' foot steel vessel measures 70' length on deck, 25' molded beam, and 7' hull depth. The landing craft is equipped with a ramp forward designed for beach loading and can handle loads up to 90 tons. The vessel is U.S. Coast Guard-inspected to 46 CFR Subchapter I for hull construction and Subchapter T for most systems. The main engines are twin John Deere model 6081 each rated 235 bhp at 2100 rpm complete with Twin Disc gear.
The team at Latitude Marine Services is very pleased about this project. According to shipyard Project Manager Patrick Gudmundson "This is a perfect project for our first new build. It shows what can be achieved here." In addition to new construction, Latitude Marine has a 100-ton haul out capacity for repair and conversions.
For 27 years, San Juan Ferry & Barge has been providing service to islands not served by the state ferry system. Along with the company's M/V NORDLAND, the vessels transport building equipment, fuel, and other custom cargo requiring private barge service.