Halter Marine's Kennicott

Kennicott, the first U.S.-flagged, ocean-going passenger ferry built in decades was delivered to the state of Alaska by Halter Marine Group. The $80 million, 381 x 85 ft., 17.5 ft. draft ferry, can carry 748 passengers on day cruises, or 500 overnight cruise passengers. It is the first vessel in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet of nine ships capable of operating on all routes between Bellingham, Wash. And Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. The 12,635 gt ferry, which displaces 6,000 tons, has more than 100 staterooms providing at least 314 berths with three classes of cabins: first class, tourist class and roomettes. The ferry features a RoRo design with a vehicle deck capable of carrying 120 cars or a mix of 39 cars and 20 45-ft. highway trailers. It is equipped with a fully enclosed 40-ton vehicle elevator, side doors and a stern ramp. Powered by two Wärtsilä diesel engines developing a total of 13,380 hp, which provide a service speed of 16.75 knots and a maximum speed of 19 knots. Maneuverability is aided by a 2,113 hp bowthruster. Generators include two 2,400 kW power takeoff, two 1,440 kW diesel generators and a 385 kW emergency generator.