New State-of-the-Art Whale Watching Vesel on Its Way to FRS Clipper Inc.

SEATTLE, WA (April 15, 2025) – Iconic US ferry and excursion vessel operator FRS Clipper Inc., provider of Seattle’s only wildlife & whale watching experiences, is excited to announce that it will receive an advanced newbuild whale watching catamaran next year. The newbuild multi-million dollar high speed vessel, built by Mavrik Marine Inc., a commercial shipyard in La Conner, WA, will begin sailing from Seattle’s Pier 69 in May 2026.

FRS Clipper currently operates Seattle’s only wildlife & whale watching tours aboard the MV San Juan Clipper, offering sailings led by expert naturalists, a full galley, gift shop, and free souvenir guidebooks. The yet-to-be-named new ship, designed by One2Three Naval Architects in Sydney, Australia, will feature two expansive, wind-protected viewing decks, allowing guests to be outside in all weather conditions. Those sitting indoors will be able to view wildlife through floor to ceiling windows. The ship will also include a large galley serving hot meals and a dedicated naturalist station where passengers can learn about Pacific marine life from Clipper’s trained, knowledgeable staff.

The new 102-foot catamaran will carry up to 150 passengers plus crew. Combining improved fuel efficiency with an impressive cruising speed of over 32 knots, it will quickly cruise the Puget Sound and be able to quickly respond to reported whale sightings. 

“FRS Clipper, supported by global ferry operator FRS Group of Germany and proud member of the Pacific Whale Watching Association (PWWA), is pleased to make this investment in Washinton State’s marine industry ,” said FRS Clipper CEO Mark Collins. “This ship brings a new level of comfort, performance, and environmental sensitivity to the whale watching market. We think our customers will enjoy this state-of-the-art experience.”

“When asked to develop a vessel that met the customer service standards laid out by operator FRS Clipper, we relied on our past experience and proven results to design this new vessel,” said Bailey Shewchuk, President of Mavrik. “Clipper was very specific about their service standards and experience they will deliver to their guests, and Mavrik is committed to building the finest quality boat to meet those goals.”

About FRS

FRS, headquartered in Flensburg, is an internationally operating ferry group. Over the past decades, FRS has evolved from a regional passenger ferry company into a leading specialist in ferry shipping, owning over 60 vessels and employing more than 1,500 staff from over 40 countries. FRS annually transports 5.7 million passengers and 1.5 million vehicles on its numerous national and international shipping lines.

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Contact:
Leah Weathersby
Marketing Director, FRS Clipper Inc.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 206-679-4428