Glosten to Design Electric Ferry for Skagit County
Washington’s Skagit County has selected Seattle based naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy Glosten to design a new all-electric vehicle/passenger ferry.
The new ferry will replace M/V Guemes, which has provided service between Anacortes and Guemes Island, Wash. since 1979, and is now nearing the end of its economic 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.
Skagit County has a vision of replacing the aging Guemes with an all-electric vessel. To support this vision, 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 their 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 has experience in hybrid and electric propulsion technology, having recently designed a hybrid passenger-only ferry for Kitsap Transit, and are 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,” commented Glosten Project Manager / Design Lead William Moon III, PE. “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.”
