San Francisco Bay Ferry is celebrating the commissioning of Zalophus, the agency’s newest high-speed passenger ferry and the 19th vessel in the SF Bay Ferry fleet. It follows Karl, which entered service in spring 2025.
[1]These ferries are the nation’s cleanest high-speed, high-capacity passenger ferries and are powered by four U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 engines equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPF), according to SF Bay Ferry.
“Adding MV Zalophus to the San Francisco Bay Ferry fleet means providing even more fast, reliable, clean transit for the Bay Area,” said SF Bay Ferry Board Chair Jim Wunderman, who noted that the ferry service is deeply committed to the Bay Area’s public health and air quality. “We’re very proud of our partnerships with agencies like the California Air Resources Board in meeting emissions standards for our region.”
As the fourth vessel in the Dorado class and the latest diesel vessel to be commissioned into service, Zalophus marks an important transition to zero-emission technology for new short-run and existing transbay routes. The effort includes terminal electrification and the construction of the nation’s first high-speed, battery-electric passenger ferries. The first five vessels are currently under construction and expected to enter service in early 2027.
Zalophus’s name was nominated by second-grader Reed Marvin, who attends Marilyn Avenue STEAM Academy in Livermore. He chose the name because it is part of the scientific name of the California sea lion [3], famous in the Bay. The name was voted on by the public and approved by SF Bay Ferry’s Board of Directors.
Built by Mavrik Marine in La Conner, Washington, Zalophus is the fourth SF ferry in its class, preceded by Karl, Dorado, and Delphinus. Zalophus was designed by One2Three Naval Architects and construction management services were provided by Aurora Marine Design.
Like its predecessor, Zalophus has a seating capacity of 320, a fully enclosed upper deck area, bike storage, and an expansive bar layout. It also has a top speed of 36 knots when all four engines are in operation. Zalophus has begun service on the Vallejo route and is compatible with all SF Bay Ferry routes.