September 16, 2024
The 114′ aluminum catamaran MV Finest was constructed at Derecktor Shipyards in 1996. Photo courtesy of Kitsap Transit.
Kitsap Transit has received $13.5 million in federal funding for the replacement of its old fast ferry, the MV Finest, which operates the Kingston-Seattle route. The funds are provided through the Federal Transit Administration’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program, as announced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In August 2024, the MV Finest experienced a breakdown due to a water jet issue, resulting in a temporary service interruption on the Kingston-Seattle route. Kitsap Transit reports that the 25-year-old vessel has reached the end of its service life, and refurbishing it would cost 75% or more of what a new vessel would cost.
The total replacement cost is $17.5 million, with federal funding accounting for 77% of the total project. The new ferry is anticipated to employ EPA Tier 4 engines. A press release from Sen. Cantwell indicates that this upgrade is in line with the agency’s goals to introduce more eco-friendly vessels to its operations.
Kitsap Transit operates Washington’s second-largest ferry fleet and is essential for connecting Kitsap County residents with Seattle and other regions in the state.
“Over 270,000 residents in Kitsap County depend on the ferry system for transportation to work, school, medical appointments, cultural events, and more. This grant will replace a 25-year-old fast ferry that experienced a breakdown last month with a new environmentally-friendly vessel for the Kingston-Seattle route,” Senator Cantwell stated. “As ridership on Kitsap Transit’s fast ferries increases, this new ferry will provide the high-quality service and reliability that people in Washington deserve.”
Kitsap Transit noted that its fast ferry service accommodated over one million passengers in 2023 and has reported a rise in ridership for 2024. The agency anticipates continued growth in passengers as demand increases, with a 40,800 increase in ridership in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
The press release highlighted that Sen. Cantwell has championed investments in Washington’s transportation infrastructure. The statement recognized her involvement in various projects aimed at modernizing and expanding the state’s ferry and transit systems. Notably, in 2023, she secured $44.6 million to convert three Washington State ferries to hybrid-electric systems and played a significant role in obtaining $25 million for the replacement of the 60-year-old Lummi Island ferry, according to the release. This recent grant for Kitsap Transit is part of a broader series of federal investments focused on improving the state’s transportation network, particularly ferry systems that connect communities throughout Puget Sound.