Steamship Authority picks EBDG design for new ferry

Single ended ferry will be called Woods Hole

DECEMBER 24, 2014 —  Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) has released a few more details about the new freight and passenger ferry it designed for the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA) that will be built at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, LA, under a $36.4 million contract awarded earlier this month.

The new ferry, Woods Hole, will replace the M/V Governor, the oldest vessel in the SSA’s fleet.

The new single-ended vessel will measure approximately 235 feet, have a total person capacity of 384 and a car deck that accommodates 55 standard vehicles or 10 tractor-trailer vehicles.

The ferry will include a bow thruster and have a service speed of 14.5 knots.

The Woods Hole will provide service between the Massachusetts mainland, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Construction of the vessel is expected to be complete in spring of 2016.

EBDG previously designed the 255 ft Island Home for the Steamship Authority, an entity established by the Massachusetts state legislature to provide reliable transportation for residents to and from the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

“The Steamship Authority is delighted to be moving ahead with the award of this contract to Conrad Shipyard,” said Wayne Lamson, SSA General Manager. “We feel that Elliott Bay Design Group’s design will provide us with a very useful addition to our fleet and will help us to improve our vital ferry service for the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.”

The Woods Hole is the latest vessel to be built by Conrad Shipyard to one of EBDG’s designs. The shipbuilder also built the passenger ferries Swan Quarter and Sea Level, both designed by EBDG for the North Carolina Department of Transportation.