Five new ferries are coming to the Bay Area in the next three years. The San Francisco Bay Ferry vessels will have full electric power and seating for up to 400 depending on the design, and will serve passengers to Treasure Island, Mission Bay and Alameda.
But they don’t have names … yet. And that’s where you come in.
The Chronicle’s Total SF project is hosting a contest to find five perfect names for the bay’s next passenger vessels. The last two ferries were named Karl (after the fog) and Zalophus (Latin name for “sea lion”), and others in the fleet are named for constellations or astrological signs. Now, we’re putting the question to you: What should we name the new ferries?
There are some rules: Ferries can’t be named after humans, corporations or products (sorry, no Valkyrie), and names have to be approved by San Francisco Bay Ferry’s Board of Directors. Finalists will be chosen by the Chronicle and ferry officials, then voted on by Chronicle readers before going to the board for final adoption. Priority will be given to names that express maritime or local themes and celebrate life in the Bay Area. (Click here to find the full contest rules.)
Winners whose names are chosen for the boats will receive free rides on the SF Bay Ferry system for a year and an invite to the christening ceremony for the boat. To be eligible to win, you must check the box below to submit your email address with your entry. If more than one person nominates a name, the winner will be the first received by the Chronicle.
Fill out the survey below to share your name, and find more information about the new boats here.