64-Car Ferries

Overview
WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) will build three or four new 64-car ferries in the next several years. The vessel design is based on the Island Home, a ferry currently operating in Massachusetts between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Why is WSDOT building new 64-car ferries?
WSF is moving forward to build new ferries to replace its aging fleet. Nine of WSF’s 20 auto-passenger ferries are between 40 and 65 years old and must be replaced in the next 20 years. The last new Washington State Ferry was put into service in 1999.

WSF has been without a state-owned ferry to serve the Port Townsend/Keystone route since November 2007. WSF has been leasing a ferry from Pierce County since January 2008 to serve this challenging route until new ferries can be built. The constraints of Keystone Harbor prevent the use of a larger ferry on this route.

The End Result
Building new vessels will improve the safety and efficiency of WSF’s fleet, to ensure safe, reliable service to our customers.

Project Benefits
The first two 64-car ferries will be assigned to the Port Townsend/Keystone route, restoring two-boat service with state-owned ferries to that route. The new vessels will reduce the number of weather cancellations on the Port Townsend / Keystone route and will allow us to improve service. Read more about the benefits of the 64-car ferries.

What is the project timeline?

• December 2007 – Released Port Townsend/Keystone Vessel Planning Study (pdf 1 MB)
• Feb. 9, 2008 – The Steilacoom II, a 50-car ferry leased from Pierce County, began service on Port Townsend/Keystone route
• February 2008 - WSF captains and engineers visited Massachusetts to see Island Home in operation
• April 2008 – Announced WSF would build two 64-car ferries
• Spring/summer 2008 - Modified Island Home design for operation on the Port Townsend/Keystone route
• July 2008 – Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee consultant John Boylston reviewed 64-car ferry design
• Sept. 10, 2008 – Advertised for bids for one or two 64-car ferries
• Nov. 13, 2008 – Opened bid (one bid received)
• Dec. 1, 2008 – Awarded $65.5M contract to Todd for one 64-car ferry
• Jan 5, 2009 –Issued Notice to Proceed to Todd
• Aug. 7, 2009 – Advertised for bids for second and third 64-car ferries
• Oct. 8, 2009 – Opened bid (one bid received)
• Oct. 13, 2009 - Awarded $114.1M contract to Todd for second and third 64-car ferries
• Oct. 20, 2009 - Washington State Transportation Commission named first 64-car ferry Chetzemoka
• Summer 2010 – Todd delivers first 64-car ferry to WSF
• Six weeks of crew training on first 64-car ferry
• First 64-car ferry begins service at Port Townsend/Keystone after successful sea trials and crew training
• Spring 2011 (TENTATIVE) – Delivery of second 64-car ferry
• Six weeks of crew training on second 64-car ferry
• Second 64-car ferry begins service at Port Townsend/Keystone after successful sea trials and crew training
• Spring 2012 (TENTATIVE) - Delivery of third 64-car ferry
• Six weeks of crew training on third 64-car ferry
• Third 64-car ferry begins service at Point Defiance/Tahlequah after successful sea trials and crew training

The 2009 Transportation Budget directed WSF to pursue a contract for the second and third 64-car ferries with an option to purchase a fourth 64-car ferry. WSF will pursue procurement of a 144-car ferry instead of a fourth 64-car ferry if sufficient funding is available prior to exercising the option to build the fourth 64-car ferry.

Financial Information
The 2009 Transportation Budget provides $114.8 million for construction of 64-car ferries in the 2009-2011 biennium, and $69.4 million in the 2011-2013 biennium.

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Laura Johnson
WSF Communications
2901 3rd Ave., Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 515-3913
WSFnewvesselproject@wsdot.wa.gov

back to top