MV Tacoma is a Jumbo Mark II class auto and passenger ferry operated by Washington State Ferries, a child department of the Washington State Department of Transportation. It was built in Seattle, Washington in 1997 and has capacity for 2,499 passengers and 202 vehicles.
Tacoma measures 460 feet and 2 inches in length with a beam of 90 feet and a draft of 17 feet 3 inches.
It is powered by four diesel-electric engines that can generate a total of 16,000 horsepower and reach a service speed of 18 knots.
The main passenger deck and sun deck have ADA accessible restrooms. Elevator access is available from both auto decks to the passenger deck.
For those hard of hearing, Tacoma is equipped with a visual paging announcement system that displays important announcements on monitors throughout the boat.
Other amenities include a galley and vending and newspaper machines on the main passenger deck.
MV Tacoma is named for the native word “Tah-ho-mah” which means “snowy mountain”.