MV Kennicott

{{Short description|Alaska state ferry}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=MV Kennicott Alaska Ferry Front and Side 2048px.jpg |image_caption=MV ''Kennicott'' }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country= |flag= |name=''Kennicott'' |namesake= [[Kennicott Glacier]], [[Wrangell Mountains]] |owner=[[Image:Flag of Alaska.svg|20px]] [[Alaska Marine Highway System]] |operator= |registry={{flag|United States}} |route= |ordered= |awarded= |builder=Halter Marine Group, [[Moss Point, Mississippi]] |original_cost= |yard_number= |way_number= |laid_down= |launched=1998 |sponsor= |christened= |completed= |acquired= |commissioned=1998 |decommissioned= |maiden_voyage= |in_service= |out_of_service= |renamed= |reclassified= |refit= |struck= |reinstated= |homeport= [[Valdez, Alaska]] |identification=*{{IMO Number|9145205}} *{{MMSI Number|368250000}} *[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: WCY2920 |motto= |nickname= |status={{Ship in active service}} |notes= |badge= }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |class= |type= |tonnage= {{GT|12,635}} |displacement= |length= {{convert|382|ft|m|abbr=on}} |beam= {{convert|85|ft|m|abbr=on}} |height= |draft={{convert|17|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} |depth= |hold_depth= |decks=One vehicle deck |deck_clearance= |ramps= Aft, port, and starboard [[Roll-on/roll-off|ro-ro]] loading |ice_class= |power={{convert|12350|hp|0|abbr=on}} |propulsion= |speed= {{convert|16.75|kn|lk=in}} |range= |endurance= |boats= |capacity=*748 passengers *80 vehicles |crew= |notes= }} }} '''MV ''Kennicott''''' is a mainline [[ferry]] vessel for the [[Alaska Marine Highway System]].

Constructed in 1998 by the Halter Marine Group in [[Moss Point, Mississippi|Moss Point]], [[Mississippi]], the ''Kennicott'' has been one of the most vital vessels to the Alaska ferry system since its inception. It is nine-deck, ocean certified vessel and is also able to serve as a command and logistics vessel in the event of disaster or [[oil spill]]. The ferry system, taking advantage of her ocean-going status, sends the vessel on a monthly trans-[[Gulf of Alaska]] ("cross-gulf") voyage beginning in [[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]] and concluding in [[Kodiak, Alaska|Kodiak]]. On this voyage, the ''Kennicott'' is able to provide service to the isolated Gulf of Alaska community of [[Yakutat, Alaska|Yakutat]] and is the only vessel to do so. The cross-gulf voyages are very popular and quite often sold out. The ''Kennicott'' and the {{MV|Tustumena||2}} are the Alaska Marine Highway's only accredited ocean-going vessels. The ''Kennicott'' also serves as a mainline relief ferry in the event other ferries are out of service.

The ''Kennicott''{{'}}s amenities include a hot-food cafeteria; cocktail lounge and bar; solarium; forward, aft, movie, and business lounges; gift shop; 51 four-berth cabins; and 58 two-berth cabins. The aft portion of the ''Kennicott'' appears bloated because there is an external [[car elevator]] built into the superstructure. The elevator is used in ports without roll-on ramps allowing service to ordinary docks. ''Tustumena'' is the only other ferry with this feature.

The ship struck a [[humpback whale]] in mid 2014.<ref>"[http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/No-Charges-after-Ship-Killed-Humpback-Whale-2014-09-10 No Charges after Ship Killed Humpback Whale]" September 10, 2014.</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennicott}} [[Category:Alaska Marine Highway System vessels]] [[Category:1998 ships]] [[Category:Ships built in Gulfport, Mississippi]]