Inter-Island Ferry Authority
EBDG has provided steadfast support to the City of Craig, Alaska, from initial feasibility studies in 1993 to the realization of a ferry system connecting Prince of Wales Island and Ketchikan. This support extended from conceptual design to overseeing vessel construction, resulting in the successful operation of a 197' ferry, PRINCE OF WALES. The vessel was built at Dakota Creek Industries and has been in service since 2001.
EBDG’s Scope
In 1993 EBDG was selected by the City of Craig, AK to study the feasibility of an independent ferry operation between Prince of Wales Island and Ketchikan. Based on the findings of that study, we developed a conceptual design, with a 30-car ferry operating on exposed routes. A key factor of the effort was to recover all operating costs from ticket revenues.
Based on the study results, public entities in Southeast Alaska created an independent ferry authority, Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA), and raised the capital to build a ferry and a new terminal on the Ketchikan waterfront. EBDG was again selected by the IFA to design the vessel.
EBDG completed the contract design of this 197' ferry in 2000. We were later retained by the IFA to serve as the owner's representative throughout vessel construction at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, WA. The vessel was launched in the fall of 2001 and has been successfully serving the residents of Prince of Wales Island and Ketchikan since delivery in December 2001.
Vessel Particulars
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Inter-Island Ferry Authority
197’
53’
USCG Subchapter T
150 Passengers and 30 vehicles
Design Features
One of the primary goals of the IFA was to provide passengers with a comfortable ride. EBDG paid special attention to the hull design's acoustics and utilized computer modeling and our expertise in seakeeping analysis to optimize the hull form. The design also features an electric bow thruster, a bulbous bow, and rolling chocks to reduce motion and improve passenger.
Other onboard features include inside and covered outside seating areas, children's playroom, library/reading room, and a coffee shop.