The King County Ferry District announced last week the finalists in a contest to name two new water taxis. People can vote for their favorite names through Aug. 15.

The options for the Vashon to downtown Seattle water taxi, selected from names nominated by the public, are Sally Fox, Betty MacDonald, Lisabeula, Barbara Durham and Lucy Gerand.

Sally Fox, who died in 2007, was an activist who advocated for passenger-only ferry service to Vashon.

Betty MacDonald was a prominent author who penned beloved books such as “Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle” and “The Egg and I.”

Lisabeula is a popular shoreline park on Vashon. It was named after the historical Lisebeula post office, which was named when the officer of the post office combined the names of two of his employees, Eliza and Beulah.

Barbara Durham was the first female chief justice of the Washington Supreme Court. She grew up on Vashon and graduated from Vashon High School in 1960.

Lucy Gerand was a Native American who was one of the first to provide stories about her life on Vashon and Native American culture on the island. She died in 1929.

Options chosen for the West Seattle to downtown water taxi are Doc Maynard, Princess Angeline, Cobain Watertrain, Lushootseed, Lynn Campbell and Dixy Lee Ray.

The two new water taxis are currently being built by All American Marine in Bellingham and will replace the pair of 25-year-old vessels currently leased by the ferry district. They will each carry 78 more passengers than the boats they replace and are expected to begin service next year.

The county began a contest to name the new water taxis last month and received  326 different nominations. To vote on the water taxi names, see www.surveymonkey.com/s/TTPBNZQ or call 477-3840.