Free rides on the M/V Doc Maynard all day, and more:

April 10 is Community Appreciation Day – come sample the West Seattle Water Taxi

Now that the clouds are parting and it’s starting to feel like spring, King County Executive Dow Constantine is inviting you to get out on the water and experience West Seattle’s new water taxi.

Sunday, April 10 is Community Appreciation Day, hosted by the King County Marine Division. So bring your friends and family out to Seacrest Dock and get an up-close look at the M/V Doc Maynard and take a ride across the bay to Pier 50. All trips will be free as the water taxi kicks off its summer sailing schedule.

“I invite my West Seattle neighbors to take a ride on our new state-of-the-art water taxi as we kick off the summer sailing schedule,” said Executive Constantine. “The M/V Doc Maynard is the latest example of how we’re offering clean, fast, reliable alternatives to gridlock. Grab your sunscreen and join us on April 10th.”

The M/V Sally Fox, the sister ship of the Doc Maynard operating the Vashon route, was recently named one of the top 10 passenger vessels in the world for 2015 by a leading maritime trade magazine. The vessel was recognized for her hull design which increases passenger comfort, deck layout for efficient boardings, and green technology features.

In addition to free rides and refreshments, you’ll be able to tour the new vessel during its trips and meet the crew. King County Council Chair Joe McDermott and Paul Brodeur will also be on hand to greet guests and answer questions at 10:30 a.m.

The Doc Maynard is much larger than the catamaran it replaced. The vessel carries 278 passengers, 131 more than the M/V Spirit of Kingston, which now serves as a reserve vessel. The added capacity offers more room during the busiest weekday commutes and other peak travel periods.

The Doc Maynard is also one of the greenest vessels on the water. The boat is powered by a 10 percent blend of homegrown biodiesel, thereby reducing harmful exhaust emissions. By using biodiesel, the boat is doing its part to reduce consumption of petroleum diesel and particulate matter.

King County’s West Seattle service served more than 300,000 passengers last year. Ridership for both the West Seattle and Vashon service topped a half-million boardings in 2015.