Washington State Ferries has announced a gradual electrification of its fleet towards a zero-emission future. It operates the largest ferry system in the United States. Currently its fleet of 21 ferries carries nearly 24 million commuters across Puget Sound and the greater Salish Sea annually.
A new, hybrid electric Olympic Class ferry run-on electric power with diesel engines for backup and recharging the batteries will start construction in 2022. The new 144-car vessel will need a name so the Washington State Transportation Commission has called on the public to submit name proposals. In keeping with tradition, the name must reflect a Pacific Northwest Tribal connection.
My proposal (already submitted): MV Lushootseed
Lushootseed is the ancestral language of the Duwamish. The Duwamish tribe descends from at least two distinct groups; the People of the Inside (Elliott Bay) and the People of the Large Lake (Lake Washington)—and continues to evolve both culturally and ethnically. Lushootseed is spoken throughout the Puget Sound region and is one of several languages of the Salish family. Primarily the language has been identified by southern and northern dialects. The language was spoken by many Puget Sound region peoples.
Adding the MV Lushootseed (MV signifies a motor vessel) name to the fleet will display the proud culture of the Pacific Northwest to the millions of us that ride the ferries each year. But more importantly the name will pay homage to the Duwamish, Steilacoom, Suquamish, Squaxin Island Tribe, Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Nisqually, and Puyallup in the south and the Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Skagit, and Swinomish in the north; honoring both their language and their heritage.
I’ll keep you posted!