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MV Sally Fox primed for first day on the job

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MV Sally Fox primed for first day on the job

Summary

The MV Sally Fox will carry her first commuters from Pier 50 in downtown Seattle to Vashon Island at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

Story

King County’s new water taxi goes into service Wednesday afternoon

Training is complete and all hands are on deck for the official start of service of King County’s new water taxi serving Vashon Island and downtown Seattle. The MV Sally Fox will carry her first commuters from Pier 50 in downtown Seattle to Vashon Island at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

The Sally Fox is one of two new catamarans replacing the Melissa Ann and Rachel Marie – 27 year-old leased boats that have been operating from Vashon Island and West Seattle to downtown Seattle since 2010. A third vessel, the Spirit of Kingston, remains part of the county’s water taxi fleet.

Bellingham-based All American Marine designed and built the new water taxi. The second vessel, the MV Doc Maynard, is expected to be delivered this fall.

The new vessel will operate the Vashon Island/downtown Seattle route and can carry 250 passengers, 78 more than the Melissa Ann. The added capacity means more passengers will be able to use the water taxi during the busiest weekday commute periods.

The MV Sally Fox is funded almost entirely by federal grants and will deliver more reliable and cost-effective service.

Commuters who board the boat tomorrow afternoon will discover a host of amenities, including indoor and outdoor seating, an ADA accessible bathroom and wheelchair tie downs, space for 26 bicycles and six video screens that will display passenger safety announcements.

If you missed the dedication and christening of this newest addition to the county’s water taxi fleet, you can watch the March 28th celebration online.  You can also see how the Sally Fox came together -- in less than 01:40! Time-lapse video captured the entire construction process. 

Service information can be found on King County Water Taxi website.

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