On June 28, 2006 the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) issued a statement of services for a shuttle ferry class of vessel described as “Southeast Shuttle Ferry” with the purpose to:

    “Select Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Firm to modify a concept ferry boat design to meet Alaska Marine Highway Systems operational and performance requirements for a new class of Southeast Alaska Shuttle Ferries.”

The statement of services specified that the vessel design must meet the following criteria:

  • Vessel Type: Roll On-Roll Off Passenger Ferry
  • Overall Length: 255ft to 305ft
  • Passenger Capacity: 450 (interior seating for 300 passengers)
  • Vehicle Capacity: 48-60 plus
  • Loading Ability: Bow, Stern and Side
  • Cruise Speed: 18 knots (20 knot sprint speed)
  • Operation: Day Boat Operations (12 hours)

This began the process toward building the Alaska Class Ferry (ACF), which would be the first AMHS stern/bow roll on-roll off (RORO) vessel since the M/V E.L. Bartlett.

Day Boat Alaska Class Ferry