Page 39: of Marine News Magazine (October 2023)

Offshore Energy

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Green Tech

Electri? cation num superstructure and capacity for up to 28 cars. “We have additional funding to help us reach the ? nal

Bidding shipyards are required to submit their propos- amount needed from sources such as ferry ticket sales, als by December 4, 2023. The engineer’s estimate range grant funding from the Department of Commerce, and for the project is from $19.5 million to $22.2 million, a federal grant from the FTA,” Jenn Rogers, communica- and the winning yard must complete the vessel by March tions manager at the Skagit County Commissioner’s Of- 31, 2026. ? ce told Marine News. “There is still a small gap we need “This is an exciting milestone in the process to replace to ? nd funding for, but we have not made a decision as to the current ferry,” said Skagit County Commissioner how we will raise those dollars quite yet.”

Ron Wesen. “The ferry provides a vital transportation Skagit County has operated a vehicle and passenger ferry link to Guemes Island, and we’re looking forward to service between Anacortes and Guemes Island, Wash. since ? nding a partner to help us deliver the ? rst all-electric the early 1960s. Its current vessel, Guemes, is a 21-vehi- ferry in our community.” cle, 99-passenger ferry that was designed by Nickum &

The shipbuilding project has received $14 million Spaulding and built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in through Washington State’s 2022 Transportation appro- Somerset, Mass. According to the county, the ferry oper- priations package, well below the latest engineer’s esti- ates 365 days a year and transports roughly 200,000 ve- mate range. hicles and 400,000 passengers annually.