San Francisco’s WETA welcomes new 445-pax ferry

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) has welcomed Pyxis, a new 445-passenger ferry, into its fleet.

The vessel is the fifth newbuild to be added to the San Francisco Bay ferry fleet since 2017.

Pyxis is the first in a series of three vessels ordered by WETA from Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes, Washington.

Sister ships Lyra and Vela are expected to be delivered by next year to augment WETA’s North Bay ferry services.

Pyxis was designed and built at a cost of US$23 million. Funding sources included Federal Transit Administration grants, bridge toll revenue, State Proposition 1B, and State Transit Assistance.

The vessel is named in honour of a small constellation in the southern sky. The constellation’s full name, Pyxis Nautica, is Latin for a mariner’s compass.