Steamship Reveals Naming Contest Finalists For Two New Vessels

The Steamship Authority on Tuesday revealed a slate of nine potential names for its two new vessels that were submitted by Cape and Islands residents as part of a naming contest for the boats.

The Steamship Authority has acquired two former offshore supply vessels (OSV) from a Louisiana company that were used in the Gulf Coast oil and gas industry, and last month the boat line invited the public to participate in the naming contest.

More than 8,200 entries were received by the Steamship, comprising more than 9,200 name suggestions. After reviewing all of the submissions, Steamship Authority staff trimmed the list to the following finalists:

• M/V Noepe
• M/V Wampanoag
• M/V Aquinnah
• M/V Moshup
• M/V Menemsha
• M/V Madaket
• M/V Siasconset
• M/V New Bedford
• M/V Hyannis

The full Steamship Authority Board of Governors will review the suggested vessel names at its meeting on Tuesday, September 27, and then take a formal vote on the names for the new vessels.

The finalists were revealed on Tuesday during the Steamship Authority Port Council meeting.

“In determining the names to be included, staff was mindful of the most popular names submitted as part of the contest, the Authority’s tradition of naming vessels after regions from the Authority’s communities, and a balance of potential names from each of the five port communities,” said Steamship communications director Sean Driscoll. “Staff appreciates, but ultimately must sadly recommend rejecting, various references to Jaws that were submitted, as well as ‘Boaty McBoatface,’ ‘Ferry McFerryface,’ and ‘Steamy McSteamface’.”

The two vessels the Steamship is acquiring for $30 million - the HOS Lode Star and the HOS Shooting Star - are expected to begin servicing Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard routes as soon as the summer of 2023. These boats will replace the Steamship’s current freight boats, the M/V Gay Head and the M/V Katama.

The individuals who submit the names chosen by the Board will each receive a $250 Steamship gift, as well as an opportunity to help welcome the vessels into service.

Below is a complete list of potential boat names that received 10 or more submissions from the public, and the number of entries per name:



• Noepe 295
• Wampanoag 162
• Aquinnah 143
• Moshup 102
• East Chop 95
• West Chop 90
• Menemsha 80
• Gosnold 77
• Tashmoo 73
• Tuckernuck 58
• Osprey 58
• Squibnocket 54
• Amity 53
• Vineyard Sound 52
• Nobska 49
• Inkwell 48
• Orca 46
• Boaty Mcboatface 42
• Maria Mitchell 41
• Madaket 39
• First Light 39
• Washashore 33
• Muskeget 32
• Coatue 32
• Island Time 31
• Madaket Millie 30
• Whaler 28
• Grey Lady 28
• Great Point 28
• Chappy 28
• Quahog 27
• Wasque 26
• Pequod 26
• Mishoon 25
• Islander 25
• Brant Point 25
• Sengekontacket 24
• Holmes Hole 24
• Oak Bluffs 23
• Moby Dick 23
• Great White 22
• Jaws 21
• Cuttyhunk 21
• Cottage City 21
• Chappaquiddick 21
• Moby 20
• Mayhew 20
• Coskata 20
• Sconset 19
• Nauset 19
• Lucy Vincent 19
• New Bedford 18
• Cape Poge 18
• Wauwinet 17
• Wampum 17
• Millie 17
• Maushop 17
• Massasoit 17
• Ishmael 17
• Tisbury 16
• Sherburne 16
• Monomoy 16
• Melville 16
• Liberty 16
• Island Bound 16
• Essex 16
• Vineyard Haven 15
• Starbuck 15
• Siasconset 15
• Island Dream 15
• Fair Winds 15
• Ferry Mcferryface 15
• Dionis 15
• Scrimshaw 14
• Piping Plover 14
• Queequeg 14
• Chilmark 14
• Bigger Boat 14
• Cachalot 14
• Bartholomew Gosnold 14
• Nobnocket 13
• Hyannis 13
• Islander Ii 13
• Gray Lady 13
• Tashtego 12
• Naushon 12
• Martha 12
• Miacomet 12
• Makonikey 12
• Herman Melville 12
• Island Breeze 12
• Cape Pogue 12
• Tranquility 11
• Patriot 11
• Sandpiper 11
• Marconi 11
• Katama 11
• Hydrangea 11
• Cisco 11
• Dorcas Honorable 11
• Cape Cod 11
• Vineyarder 10
• Veranda 10
• Seas The Day 10
• Pinkletink 10
• Island Queen 10
• Freedom 10
• Cape Codder 10
• Bruce 10