Categories: Lifestyle

Washington needs your help naming the next ferry — here’s how to submit your pick

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The past few months have been full of opportunities to name things around the city, from street sweepers to tunnel boring machines we’ve seen it all. But now, The Washington State Transportation Commission wants your help naming something extra cool, a brand new ferry. Have some ideas? Keep reading to find out the criteria.

This ferry is also unique because it’s actually a hybrid-electric Olympic Class ferry. Its construction should start in 2022 and will eventually carry 144 cars on its designated routes across Puget Sound. And if you’re wondering, it will be the 22nd vessel in the Washington State Ferries fleet.

Unlike other naming contests we’ve seen this year, this one is going to take a little more thought because the requirements are pretty specific. For context, some of the current vessel names include Chimacum, Samish, Suquamish, and Tokitae. If don’t know, they reflect Washington’s tribal heritage. Here’s what the WSTC wants in a name.

Names should carry statewide or regional significance and represent our state’s image and culture.
Names should represent such things as state-adopted symbols, tribal names, names of bodies of water, geographic locations, cities, counties, relate to nautical heritage, etc.
Consideration will be given for consistency with existing WSF fleet names.
Names should have broad familiarity, be non-offensive, and meet ethical standards.

Now the WSTC generally wants names to avoid commercial overtones or notable people’s names. But there are some exceptions that will be considered.

Individuals must be deceased for at least 20 years.
They must have enduring distinction and have played a significant historical role in the region and/or state.

Alright, we know that’s a lot to take in but there’s a little bit more you need to do as well. Once you’ve decided on a name you need to back up your nomination. That means stating how the name adheres to the guidelines as well as providing background on the proposed name and showing evidence of public support for the name. We told you, this one isn’t super simple but it is something that will last for generations to come.

So if you have a name that comes to mind be sure to submit it before October 1st in both digital and hardcopy format. Don’t worry, we’ve got you on where to send it.

Washington State Transportation Commission
PO Box 47308
Olympia, WA 98504-7308
Electronic copies are to be emailed to: transc@wstc.wa.gov, indicating “Ferry Naming Proposal” in the subject line.

You can see the full press release here.