Our Fleet

There are four ferry boats that make up the current Washington Island Ferry fleet. Each ferry can carry 150 passengers and 18–21 autos. The fleet includes the Arni J. Richter, a unique four-season ferry built for the Washington Island Ferry Line in 2002–2003.

Arni J. Richter (Ice Breaker)

Arni docking2 lg
Official Number 1140323
Year Built 2003
Builder Bay Ship Building, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Dimensions 104' x 38' x 10'
Gross Weight 92 Tons
Propulsion 2 CAT 3508B, 1000 hp each at 1600 rpm
Capacity 150 Passengers, 18 Autos
Other Ice hull, ice class propeller. Named after long-time Ferry Line owner, captain and islander, Arni Richter.

Eyrarbakki

Eyrarbakki port lg
Official Number 527292
Year Built 1970
Builder Bay Ship Building, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Dimensions 87' x 36' x 8'
Gross Weight 95.7 Tons
Propulsion 2 Cummins NTA 855, 350 hp ea. at 1800 rpm
Capacity 150 Passengers, 18 Autos
Other Named after a village on the southern coast of Iceland, port of emigration for many Icelanders who came to Washington Island in the late 1800s.

Robert Noble

Robert noble main lg
Official Number 606532
Year Built 1979
Builder Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Dimensions 90' x 36' x 8'
Gross Weight 97 Tons
Propulsion 2 CAT C18, 454 hp ea. at 1800 rpm
Capacity 150 Passengers, 19 Autos
Other Named after a twenty-five year old man who survived icy Death’s Door waters in December of 1864. A few years later, Noble became owner and operator of the first propeller-driven ferry in Door County, operating in Sturgeon Bay until a bridge was eventually constructed in 1870.

Washington

Washington hero lg
Official Number 949690
Year Built 1989
Builder Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Dimensions 100' x 37' x 9'
Gross Weight 82 Tons
Propulsion 2 CAT C18, 487 hp ea. at 1800 rpm
Capacity 150 Passengers, 21 Autos
Other Named for the flagship of a squadron of three U.S. vessels which anchored in the northern island harbor (now Washington Harbor), and later secured a foothold in Green Bay following the War of 1812.