North Olympic Peninsula residents can jump aboard the MV Marshawn Lynch or the MV Golden Tate across Puget Sound today.
Look for the MV James Carpenter to sail out of Port Townsend to Whidbey Island.
The boats in the Washington State Ferries fleet will look the same, but their names will be symbolically changed for Super Bowl Sunday to reflect the starting offense and defense of the Seattle Seahawks, who take on the Denver Broncos for the NFL championship in a game that starts at 3:30 p.m.
Gov. Jay Inslee directed the vessels be named in honor of the Seattle Seahawks.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our Seahawks as they represent our state in the Super Bowl,” Inslee said.
“We’ve already raised the 12th Man flag on each ferry, and this honorary name change is one more way for us to show our appreciation.”
Signs telling of the one-day change will be erected inside the boats, and captains may make announcements, said Marta Coursey, state ferries system spokeswoman.
The MV Kennewick, which is running between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island/Coupeville, will be the MV James Carpenter for the star offensive lineman.
The two most popular routes for North Olympic Peninsula residents to get to the I-5 corridor will be sailing Seahawks.
Between Kingston and Edmonds, the MV Spokane will be the MV Golden Tate, and the MV Puyallup will be the MV Marshawn Lynch.
Between Bainbridge Island and Colman Dock/Seattle, the MV Tacoma will be the MV Russell Wilson, and the MV Wenatchee will be the MV Richard Sherman.
“Although the name change is symbolic, we think it is a fun way to show our support and give fans a chance to cheer on the Hawks before they pull into port,” said Assistant Transportation Secretary David Moseley.
Here is the entire Washington State Ferries lineup for Super Bowl Sunday:
■ MV Cathlamet: “MV Malcom Smith.”
■ MV Chelan: “MV Zach Miller.”
■ MV Chetzemoka: “MV J.R. Sweezy.”
■ MV Elwha: “MV Chris Clemens.”
■ MV Evergreen State: “MV Byron Maxwell.”
■ MV Hiyu: “MV Breno Giacomini.”
■ MV Hyak: “MV Kam Chancellor.”
■ MV Issaquah: “MV Russell Okung.”
■ MV Kaleetan: “MV Doug Baldwin.”
■ MV Kennewick: “MV James Carpenter.”
■ MV Kitsap: “MV Bobby Wagner.”
■ MV Kittitas: “MV Tony McDaniel.”
■ MV Klahowya: “MV Bruce Irvin.”
■ MV Puyallup: “MV Marshawn Lynch.”
■ MV Salish: “MV Max Unger.”
■ MV Sealth: “MV Brandon Mebane.”
■ MV Spokane: “MV Golden Tate.”
■ MV Tacoma: “MV Russell Wilson.”
■ MV Tillikum: “MV Michael Robinson.”
■ MV WallaWalla: “MV Earl Thomas.”
■ MV Wenatchee: “MV Richard Sherman.”
■ MV Yakima: “MV Red Bryant.”
The MV Coho, which runs between Port Angeles and Victoria, is privately owned and not part of Inslee’s directive.
It is midway through its annual two-week maintenance in dry dock and won’t be working today. The Coho returns to service Feb. 6.
