After gathering public input over the past few months, the Washington State Transportation Commission has selected Chimacum as the name for the next 144-car ferry.

The commission had considered four proposed names that were determined to meet eligibility requirements: Cowlitz, Sammamish, Suquamish and Chimacum.

Nearly 6,000 people from across the state shared their preferences for the next ferry name via an online survey sent to members of the Voice of Washington State (VOWS) and the Ferry Riders Opinion Group (FROG) survey panels. The commission also heard from about 100 people via email, and received input from members of Ferry Advisory committees throughout the ferry system and from Washington State Ferries.

In order to be eligible for consideration, ferry naming proposals submitted to the commission are required to be substantiated, including: establishing how the proposed name conforms to the guidelines below; providing background information on the proposed name; and providing indications of widespread public support.

The commission applies the following guidelines in assessing ferry name proposals:
• Names for ferries should carry statewide significance and represent our state’s image and culture.
• Specifically, 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 to the consistency with existing WSF fleet names.
• Names should have broad familiarity, are non-offensive, and meet ethical standards.
• Names with commercial overtones or names honoring or commemorating individuals should be avoided, but will be considered upon very careful review.

Of the 23 vessels in the Washington State Ferry’s fleet, many have names reflecting the state’s tribal, geographic and historic heritage. The most recently named vessels: Samish and Tokitae are in keeping with that tradition.

Additional information on ferry naming can be found on the Commission web site at: www.wstc.wa.gov/Naming/default.htm