(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Governor Bill Walker called on Alaska students today to help name two state ferry vessels, which are currently being built in Ketchikan after the Alaska Legislature appropriated funding for the projects in the fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2012 budgets. From now until March 15, students between 6th and 12th grade are invited to name the two new Alaska Class ferries, and submit an essay explaining the choice. According to statute, each ferry must be christened after one of Alaska’s 745 named glaciers.

The two ferries are currently being built at the Vigor Alaska shipyard in Ketchikan, and will serve the ports of Haines, Juneau and Skagway – also known as the North Lynn Canal region. Crews began construction on the ferries in the fall of 2014 and are scheduled to be complete their work in 2018.

Alaska Class Ferry
Graphic courtesy ADOT

In the fall of 2014, the Governor’s office announced that Alaska DOT & PF had reached a final agreement to construct two Day Boat Alaska Class Ferries (ACFs) at Vigor Alaska shipyard in Ketchikan.

The two Alaska Class Ferries are designed to be 280 feet long, seat up to 300 passengers and have 1060 feet of usable car deck space. Each ferry will feature fully enclosed car decks as well as bow and stern doors for quicker loading and unloading. The modified hull design will greatly improve traveler comfort during rough weather and controllable pitch propellers will allow the operator to maximize maneuverability and efficiency.

The Alaska Class Ferries are being constructed in modules that will be fit together from the hull upward, moving from bow to stern. Progress to date is looking good and can be reviewed at www.FerryAlaska.com on the 'Our Fleet' page. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2018.

“Just like Benny Benson made history when he won the contest in 1927 to design the Alaska flag, two young Alaskans can also help make a mark in state history,” said Governor Bill Walker. “I look forward to seeing our young people’s creativity on display on the two vessels that will play such an important role in our state’s transportation system.”

The two winning essays will be framed and displayed on the respective ferries. Two winners will be chosen - one from the 6th-8th grade group; another from the 9th-12th grade group. The winning essays will be selected by Governor Walker, Lt. Governor Byron Mallott and Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Commissioner Marc Luiken.

The winners will be announced May 1, 2016. The two students with winning essays will receive an award certificate in their classroom, presented by Governor Walker, Lt. Governor Mallott or Commissioner Luiken.

Entries are due March 15, 2016.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

On the Web:

Alaska Class Ferry Project Updates
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/alaska_class/index.shtml

Complete Contest Details
http://www.sitnews.us/0116News/010416/name_ferry_contest.pdf

Contest Flyer
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/doc/reports/contest_flyer.pdf

For Full Details
http://www.alaskaferry.com/contest

Source of News:

FerryAlaska Our Fleet
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/fleet.shtml

Office of the Governor
www.gov.state.ak.us

SitNews ©2016
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

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