SSA Selects Elliot Bay Ferry Design

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), a naval architecture and marine engineering firm with offices in Seattle, New Orleans and Ketchikan, has been awarded a multiple-phase project to design a new freight and passenger ferry for the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA).

“We were looking to replace our oldest vessel, the M/V Governor, with a more versatile vessel by the spring of 2016," stated Wayne C. Lamson, General Manager for the SSA.

The single-ended vessel will measure approximately 235 feet, have a total passenger capacity of between 384 – 512, and a car deck that will accommodate50standard vehicles or10 tractor-trailer vehicles. The vessel will have a target speed of 16 knots and will include a bow thruster. The vessel arrangement will feature twin side casings with walk-on passenger access, interior passenger spaces on the passenger deck, crew accommodations and a pilothouse above.

The proposed ferry will provide service between the Massachusetts mainland, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. The contract with SSA includes a Preliminary Design Study, Design Validation, Contract Design, Shipyard Bid Assistance and Construction Support.

EBDG Vice-president of Engineering, Brian King, said, "We previously designed the 255' Island Home for them, and look forward to helping ensure that the new ferry will also have a very successful, long-term run."

Active in the area of passenger vessel design since its inception, EBDG has worked for ferry operators across the country, including multiple agencies within the state of Washington, and agencies in Alaska, Texas, North Carolina, Oregon and New York as well as British Columbia, Canada. Today EBDG continues this strong tradition by providing support to operators of both large and small passenger vessels with projects ranging from new construction to vessel modification and repair.

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