Ice breaking, Catamaran, SWATH, variable draft. At the very minimum this has to be a challenge to the Marine inspectors.
http://ww1.matsugov.us/ferry/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=2
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?177898-Successful-launch-of-Susitna-Ferry
Implications for the Arctic?
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Understand this vessel is now up for sale. Might be useful in the Arctic.
Looks like the Philippine Navy may be interested in buying the vessel. http://www.adn.com/article/20140903/prospective-buyers-tour-mat-su-ferry-federal-grant-deadline-moves-back
Looks like the ship is now to be sold to the Philippine Red Cross. http://gcaptain.com/a-borough-in-alaska-is-so-close-to-selling-the-worlds-most-ridiculous-ship/#.Vj5SpjZdFjo
Its official, acquired by the Philippine Red Cross. http://www.bairdmaritime.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17902:philippine-red-cross-acquires-us-built-swath-ferry&catid=71&Itemid=63
The vessel was still at the Foss Shipyard in Seattle as of last week.
Yes the report said that while it had been taken over by the Philippine Red Cross it had not yet made the transit to the Philippines. Seems to be taking a long time.
The continuing story. https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/after-years-of-rotting-away-the-most-usless-ship-in-the-world-is-sold/15254