![](https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/0815DocMaynardLaunch080-e1439265317701.jpg)
If you ride the King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle-to-downtown route, that’s the new vessel you’ll be on starting sometime this fall. M/V Doc Maynard is being built at All American Marine in Bellingham, as was the new Vashon Island Water Taxi M/V Sally Fox; the photos are from Doc Maynard’s launch into Bellingham Bay last week to start sea trials.
![](https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/0815DocMaynardLaunch127-e1439265371337.jpg)
According to an online update from Water Taxi management, M/V Doc Maynard will arrive in Seattle in about a month. Here’s what the county says will happen after that:
After the Doc Maynard arrives in Seattle, the King County Marine Division will familiarize the crew with the vessel, conduct route-specific training, and go through U.S. Coast Guard safety drills. Following a dedication event, the Doc Maynard will be put into service on the Vashon route for up to four weeks while the Sally Fox returns to Bellingham to undergo warranty work. When the Sally Fox returns, the Doc Maynard will go into service on the West Seattle route, increasing the capacity and comfort of this service.
Federal grant money covered 80 percent of the nearly $12 million cost of the two new passenger ferries.
More water taxi news from the summer newsletter – ridership is up:
![](https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ridershipup.jpg)
And the newsletter also notes that the county is continuing to look at possible expansion: “King County has asked the Marine Division and our consultant, KPFF Engineering, to look at future route opportunities on both Lake Washington and Puget Sound. A report of viable options is expected by year’s end.”
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