Hold Your Hat! The Hat Island Community is about to get a brand-new, spiffy, custom passenger ferry thanks to boatbuilder Armstrong Marine. Hat Island (also known as Gedney Island) is a small private island located in Possession Sound between Everett, Whidbey, and Camano islands and is the permanent or vacation home to around 260 “Hat Islander” families. In addition to a marina and yacht club, the community maintains a nine-hole golf course, fire station, a community bus, and, of course, the passenger ferry with service to/from the Port of Everett.
Armstrong Marine, based out of Port Angeles, Washington, was chosen by the Hat Island community to build the new custom 49-seat passenger ferry. Known for its welded aluminum catamarans, monohulls, RHIBs, and barges of the highest quality and innovative design, Armstrong designed a 45-foot catamaran to service the Hat Island community.
Charlie Crane, Armstrong Marine USA Sales & Marketing Director, commented on the contract award, “Over the last two years, we’ve focused on taking our passenger vessels to the next level with thoughtful designs that improve not only safety and serviceability, but also the comfort and experience of each passenger. These changes are evident in the Hat Island Ferry; by closely collaborating with project stakeholders, we’ve designed a vessel that will be uniquely well-suited to their community’s needs.”
The USCG Subchapter T vessel features a comfortable seating area, galley, and head, with plenty of lockers and overhead bins to store luggage. It has been designed with shaft & wheel propulsion powered by twin Cummins QSL9 405hp engines and SeaStar EPS electronic steering. A ZF CruiseCommand system provides superior vessel control from the raised pilothouse or second station forward. Two bow thrusters and aluminum push knees, with rubber fendering, ease repeated mooring.
Two passenger gates at the bow plus a side door aft expedite the boarding process. Additional exterior customizations include 12 deck tie-down points and an aluminum davit (500 lb. SWL) for cargo transport.
Hat Island is a truly relaxing place to be and, with big thanks to Armstrong Marine, getting there will prove to be just as relaxing. To find out more visit hatisland.org or armstrongmarine.com.
