SEATTLE (December 6, 2017) –  People traveling between Seattle and Victoria, B.C. will soon enjoy travel aboard Clipper’s newest high-speed fast ferry, Clipper V, starting service in spring 2018.

Clipper’s newest and fastest vessel, Clipper V is a 52-meter (170 feet) high-speed catamaran that will carry 440 passengers and travel at speeds up to 36 knots. Prior to arriving in the Pacific Northwest, the vessel operated in the North Sea between Hamburg and Heligoland, Germany as part of the fleet owned by Clipper’s parent company, FRS.

Clipper V’s record of safety and reliability on the North Sea route make it the ideal vessel for the similar waters of the Salish Sea, and its motion dampening system will ensure it consistently delivers a comfortable ride for customers across the scenic Pacific Northwest. Following the vessel’s arrival via heavylift carrier in December, Clipper V will be transferred into drydock for final interior modifications before starting service in the new year.

Clipper V will feature two classes of service: Economy and Comfort (business class). Comfort Class will be Clipper’s version of business class, featuring a spacious private cabin area, complimentary snacks and refreshments as well as leather seats. The vessel will also have a gift and duty free shop with locally sourced goods, as well as a full galley and onboard menu featuring regional food and beverage options along with Clipper’s trademark in-seat attendant service from onboard staff.

“We’ve been huge supporters and contributors to Victoria and Seattle’s tourism sectors for more than 31 years,” said David Gudgel, CEO of Clipper. “In that time, Seattle has grown and changed significantly with increased demand for travel between the two cities. Victoria has also grown tremendously as a destination city with so many attractions to offer. Clipper V is the perfect vessel for us to provide an even better customer experience while matching market demand.”

David Gudgel, Clipper’s CEO, is available for phone interviews. To arrange an interview, please see contact information below.

Clipper V images available at:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/zpmmvcj369jrxjw/ClipperV_FullDesign.zip?dl=0

 

About Clipper

Clipper, operator of Clipper Vacations, is well known as travel experts for the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Since 1986, Seattle-based Clipper has provided transportation, tours and accommodation packages for over eight million customers. Clipper offers opportunities to experience picturesque and popular destinations such as: Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, San Juan Island, Whistler, Portland and Vancouver Island. For more information about Clipper, visit www.clippervacations.com.

About FRS (Clipper parent company)

The owner of Clipper, Fast Reliable Seaways (FRS) looks back on more than 150 years of successful history. From a regional passenger ship shipping company, FRS has developed over the past decades into an internationally active group of companies with 62 ships and over 1,500 employees. FRS carries around 7.9 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles per year on its national and international shipping lines. Today, north German-based FRS Group has in its portfolio 24 subsidiaries located in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and North America. In addition to numerous international ferry and catamaran lines, FRS is also involved in wind-offshore transport with crew transfer boats and maritime consultancy.

Clipper Fast Facts

  • Local travel and transportation business since 1986
  • More than 150 employees based in Seattle, Washington and Victoria, B.C.
  • Operators of three high-speed Victoria Clipper vessels between Seattle, Victoria, and Friday Harbor
  • More than 80 hotel and tour regional partner relationships in place to provide full service, custom vacation packages
  • Packages include a range of diverse offerings such as wine country tours and whale watching
  • Since beginning service in 1986, Victoria Clipper catamarans have brought more than 8 million travelers between downtown Seattle and downtown Victoria

Contact
Scott Meis
VP of Marketing, Clipper
T 206-443-2560 x3307
C 773-308-4526
smeis@victoriaclipper.com