PORTLAND, Maine -- The M/V Kennewick was named one of the Significant Boats of 2011 by U.S. maritime industry publication WorkBoat Magazine.

WorkBoat Magazine notified Washington State Ferries in early November that the Kennewick, Chetzemoka and Salish, three new 64-car vessels, were among the 50 boats nominated for the annual award.

Winners were announced Nov. 30 at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans and will be featured in the January issue of WorkBoat Magazine.

WorkBoat magazine editors said the industry considers the Chetzemoka, Salish and Kennewick significant because they are the first new boats for the state Department of Transportation's ferries division in more than a decade and represent a much-needed vessel upgrade for the Port Townsend-Coupeville route.

The boats also are distinctive in design, both inside and out, compared with the other state ferries.