FERRIES: Help name first hybrid-electric before it’s built on Harbor Island – here are the finalists

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

The state Transportation Commission, which has the final say in naming state highways, bridges, and ferries, has announced six finalists for naming the next new state ferry. They are:

Wishkah
Stillaguamish
Snoqualmie
Enie Marie
Stehekin
Muckleshoot

The nominated names are explained here, which is also where you’ll see how to comment. The commission chose those six from what it says were 19 proposed names that met its requirements and guidelines. Their decision is due in mid-December. The name will be given to a 144-car hybrid-electric Olympic Class ferry that’ll be built starting next year on Harbor Island, at the Vigor shipyard, and launched in 2025.
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Question Authority October 27, 2021 (3:51 pm)

The Muckleshoot can afford to buy and name their own ferry, I think it should be called Sparky instead.

chas redmond October 27, 2021 (3:53 pm)

I like these two because I know everyone will have an easy time pronouncing them : Snoqualmie Muckleshoot

JudyB October 27, 2021 (5:27 pm)

With three Native American tribes submitting a name, it will be politically hard to choose one. Stehekin is too far removed from the coast where this ferry will be. Enie Marie is an original and attractive metaphor, but it’s hard to name a ferry after one individual. I’d have to go with Wishkah.

TN October 28, 2021 (6:00 am)

Ummmmm…. We have a ferry named Chelan, (nearest to Stehekin)

FYI – WSDOT also has a Spokane, Kittitas Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Kennewick, and Yakima (sorry if i missed any other that are “too far removed from the coast where this ferry will be”)

Just name the darn thing….
22blades October 28, 2021 (6:38 am)

Actually there’s the Wenatchee & Yakima. I like it because it recognizes everyone in the state, not just coastal regions.

onion October 27, 2021 (6:05 pm)

I guess Boaty McBoatface didn’t make the final list. :) Besides, it’s taken.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boaty_McBoatface

waikikigirl October 27, 2021 (6:05 pm)

How about the Salish-COtherwise I like the Wishkah and Stillaguamish

miws October 27, 2021 (6:29 pm)

Waikikigirl, WSF already has a Salish. I’m leaning toward Stillaguamish… —Mike
- waikikigirl October 28, 2021 (7:08 am)
  
  MIWS, Well shoot I didn’t know that! Then you I can still lean towards Stillaguamish. :>)
  - miws October 28, 2021 (10:59 am)
    
    Waikikigirl, a little later last evening, I did more than lean. I fell right into the Stillaguamish… ;-) —Mike
    - waikikigirl October 28, 2021 (12:24 pm)
      
      MIWS, LOL!!! https://youtu.be/qpWpZ61uvGE
    - miws October 28, 2021 (3:28 pm)
      
      OUCH! 😄

wub October 27, 2021 (6:09 pm)

4 years to build? Washington is getting cheated. It takes less time to build a large container ship.

Michael October 27, 2021 (6:50 pm)

2025-2022 is 3 years.
- Wub October 27, 2021 (7:27 pm)
  
  Yes, you’re right. I misread the start date. My point still stands.
- Wendell October 27, 2021 (10:25 pm)
  
  WSF should start looking for crew now. They may even have a full complement by 2025.
  - Libra October 28, 2021 (2:33 am)
    
    Agreed but maybe the focus should be on automation, e.g., robots, that won’t be calling in sick and causing ferry schedule cancellations. Airplanes can fly on auto-pilot, Tesla’s developing self-driving cars, so certainly some of those ferry jobs could be automated!
    - 22blades October 28, 2021 (10:31 am)
      
      Just so you know, aircraft do not “fly” on Autopilot. Autopilots are active tools the pilots use to relieve workloads to better manage the entire operation. Autopilots do not make decisions. You will never find an Autopilot at a hearing after an incident. Only pilots with certificates with their names on them.
22blades October 28, 2021 (6:41 am)

…with offshore, non-union labor.

Al October 28, 2021 (6:41 am)

After reading the name explanations on that linked website, I’m leaning Enie Marie. I really appreciated the thoughtful angle and it inspired me to look her up and try to learn even more about her.

anonyme October 28, 2021 (7:23 am)

Stillaguamish or Wishkah, with a slight lean to the latter.

Kathy October 28, 2021 (7:25 am)

Wishkah, short, easy to pronounce, a tributary of the Chehalis River, Chehalis word meaning “stinking water”, referenced by Kurt Cobain in his oeuvre. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wishkah_River

Yep October 28, 2021 (8:39 am)

I think it’s confusing for anyone who doesn’t recognize these tribal names and know how to pronounce them. Why not e-ferry?

Auntie October 28, 2021 (12:02 pm)

If these names are confusing and hard for you to pronounce, I’m not sure where you are from. They are pretty much in common usage here in the Pacific Northwest.
BlairJ` October 28, 2021 (12:11 pm)

It’s a great way to increase awareness of names of native places and people. And if you just need to get from point A to point B over the water, all you need to know is the names of the terminals. You can learn how to pronounce the vessel name while you’re on board.

Norskgirl October 28, 2021 (10:28 am)

Snoqualmie is a fairly common name around the area (everything from waterfall to banquet rooms). My vote goes to the unique Enie Marie with solid local history.

Mike October 28, 2021 (11:12 am)

Enie Marie – delightful name that just rolls off the tongue, and sparks one’s interest in our history. Luv it!

Kathy October 28, 2021 (12:19 pm)

I prefer her other name, “Talisa”. Or how about “Princess Angeline” which is what we should have named the Water Taxi. I didn’t know they were seeking suggestions, or I would have suggested that.