Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) is proud to announce that the Heron, the fourth vessel to join the Fisher Island fleet, has been delivered. Built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida, the 120 ft. double-ended vehicle ferry was accepted by
Fisher Island Community Association on October 9, 2002. EBDG completed the upgraded Contract Design and later served as Owner's Representative during vessel construction. The new vessel measures 120 ft. length overall with a beam of 46 ft. and a draft of 7 ft. The Heron carries 22 vehicles and up to 100 passengers.
According to EBDG Project Manager Will Nickum, P.E., the Heron was "designed for maintenance." Special consideration was placed on improvements geared towards maintenance and compatibility with the existing fleet. According to Nickum, "the design ground rules were fairly straightforward: match the existing design in hull form, arrangement, appearance and handling, use proven local suppliers for equipment, and improve maintenance of hull and equipment in every way possible."