New ferry christening here next week

2015 0511 mv samish

Washington State Ferries has scheduled an open house and christening for the newest ferry, the M/V Samish, at the Anacortes ferry landing next week.

The event on Wednesday, May 20, includes an open house from 10am - 4pm and a formal ceremony at 1:30 pm. Washington state First Lady Trudi Inslee will christen the vessel, which is scheduled to go into service between Anacortes and the San Juan Islands next month.

The ferry system is promising tours of the wheelhouse, refreshments, and activities for kids, as well as a tribal ceremony involving the Samish Indian Nation.

Visitors coming from the mainland may park in the upper lot of the Anacortes terminal. Visitors coming from the islands are encouraged to walk onto the ferry to Anacortes. Passengers arriving via ferry will be issued tickets for free walk-on return passage, valid for same-day travel.

The event is free and open to the public and is ADA accessible.