Kwa-di Tabil-class ferry
 MV Chetzemoka, the first of the class, sailing into Keystone Harbor (2011)
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Todd Shipyards |
| Operators | 2010 - future Washington State Ferries |
| Preceded by | Steel Electric Class ferry |
| Built | 2009 - 2011 |
| In service | 2010 - present |
| Planned | 3 |
| Completed | 3 |
| Active | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | auto/passenger ferry |
| Tonnage | 4623 |
| Displacement | 1515 long tons |
| Length | 273' 8" |
| Beam | 64' |
| Draft | 11' |
| Decks | list error: <br /> list (help) 1 vehicle 2 passenger |
| Deck clearance | 15' 10" - 16' 1" |
| Installed power | list error: <br /> list (help) 2 x Diesel engines 3,000 Horsepower each |
| Speed | 15 Knots |
| Capacity | list error: <br /> list (help) 750 passengers max. 64 vehicles |
The Kwa-di Tabil (kwah DEE tah-bale)[1] class ferries, previously known as the 100 Vehicle Class[2] and later 64 Vehicle Class,[3][4] were built by Washington State Ferries to replace the retired Steel Electric ferries. The new vessels are intended to serve lower traffic routes and will carry up to 64 vehicles. The State of Washington has spent approximately $213 million to construct three ferries in this class.[5]
Ferries in this class include:
History
In November 2007, Washington State Ferries removed the 80 year old Steel Electric ferries from service for safety reasons. Routine inspections revealed serious hull damage on two of the four old vessels. When the Steel Electrics were removed from service, there were no ferries able to carry vehicles on Port Townsend - Keystone route.[6]
The State Legislature authorized and funded vessel construction in February 2008.[7] As required by law, all new Washington State Ferries vessels are built in Washington.[7]
The first ferry, MV Chetzemoka, was christened by Gov. Christine Gregoire and began service November 14, 2010[8] on the Port Townsend - Coupeville route. The MV Salish began serving the Port Townsend-Keystone (Coupeville) route alongside the Chetzemoka on July 1, 2011.[9] The MV Kennewick began service between Port Townsend and Coupeville on February 14, 2012.
In December 2012 and January 2013 the Salish was used as an emergency replacement vessel on the well-traveled Bremerton-Seattle run, during this time it was observed the overpowered and Diesel fuel hungry engines could not make the 16-knot speed they were designed for and could do at best 12.8 knots resulting in major travel delays on top of the reduced capacity one would expect from these small vessels. During this time the Salish often operated over its 750 capacity with closer to 1000 passengers, and requiring passengers to pack passageways to sit on floors and outside decks.
References
- ^ http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100119/news/301199996
- ^ http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/7C44DC13-F887-4B42-8EF9-AD1FD9ADF2E3/0/PTKVesselPlanningStudyDec102007.pdf
- ^ http://www.leg.wa.gov/JTC/Documents/Ferries/SteelElectricsUpdate070808.pdf
- ^ http://legacy.sname.org/sections/pacific_northwest/images/R07302%20SNAME%20ISLAND%20HOME%20presentation.pdf
- ^ "New ferry Kennewick joining Washington fleet". The Seattle Times. January 6, 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- ^ New Ferries press release
- ^ a b SB 6794
- ^ Gilmore, Susan (14 November 2010). "Washington state's newest ferry, Chetzemoka, christened Sunday". The Seattle Times.
- ^ New state ferry Salish enters service