Kitsap Transit receives $13.5 million to replace aging ferry

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Kitsap Transit has been awarded $13.5 million in federal funding to replace its aging fast ferry, the MV Finest, which serves the Kingston-Seattle route. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program and was 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 broke down due to a water jet malfunction which caused a temporary halt in the Kingston-Seattle service. According to Kitsap Transit, the 25-year-old vessel is at the end of its operational life, and the cost to refurbish it would be 75% or more of the expense of a new vessel. Go to this link to read the full article published by WorkBoat https://www.workboat.com/kitsap-transit-receives-13-5-million-to-replace-aging-ferry

The 114' aluminum catamaran MV Finest was built at Derecktor Shipyards in 1996. Kitsap Transit photo.