The first Kwa-di Tabil Class ferry, Chetzemoka
January 2012
- WSF hosted a celebration of the Kennewick Jan. 6 at the Port Townsend ferry terminal. View event photos.
- The Salish is providing service on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route until January, when the Kennewick will take over (exact date to be determined).
- The Chetzemoka is in standby status at WSF's Eagle Harbor maintenance facility. The Chetzemoka will replace the Rhododendron on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route in January (exact date to be determined).
Overview
WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) contracted with Vigor Industrial to build three new Kwa-di Tabil (pronounced kwah DEE tah-bayle) class (64-car) ferries. The vessel design is based on the Island Home, a ferry 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 the retired Steel Electric Class vessels and the 64 year-old Rhododendron. Nine of WSF’s 23 auto-passenger ferries are between 40 and 65 years old and must be replaced in the next 20 years.
The End Result
The Chetzemoka restored service with a state-owned vessel to the Port Townsend/Coupeville route in November 2010.
The Salish joined the Chetzemoka on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route in July 2011. The Salish is currently the sole vessel serving the route.
The Kennewick will enter service in January 2012 as the sole vessel serving the Port Townsend/Coupeville route. The Chetzemoka will replace the 1947-built Rhododendron on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route. The Salish will be in standby status until the 2012 peak season, when it will join the Kennewick on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route.
Project Benefits
Building new vessels improves the safety and efficiency of WSF’s fleet, to ensure safe, reliable service to our customers.
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
- Nov. 9, 2009 - Issued Notice to Proceed to Todd for second and third 64-car ferries
- Jan. 15, 2010 - Announced new vessel class name: Kwa-di Tabil
- March 2, 2010 - Chetzemoka placed in the water for the first time
- April 3, 2010 - Chetzemoka moved from Todd Pacific Shipyards to Everett Shipyard
- July 13, 2010 - Washington State Transportation Commission named second and third Kwa-di Tabil ferries: Salish and Kennewick
- Sept. 15, 2010 – Todd delivered Chetzemoka to WSF
- Nov. 14, 2010 - Gov. Gregoire christened the Chetzemoka; inaugural sailing
- Nov. 15, 2010 - Chetzemoka began service at Port Townsend/Coupeville
- Dec. 23, 2010 - Salish placed in the water for the first time
- Jan. 4, 2011 - Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen christened Salish
- Feb. 7, 2011 - Salish moved from Todd Pacific Shipyards to Everett Shipyard
- May 12, 2011 – Vigor (Todd) delivered Salish to WSF
- May 20, 2011 - Kennewick placed in the water for the first time
- May 27, 2011 - Rep. Judy Clibborn christened Kennewick
- June 4, 2011 - Kennewick moved from Vigor Shipyards to Everett Shipyard
- July 1, 2011 - Salish began service at Port Townsend/Coupeville
- Oct. 31, 2011 - Delivery of Kennewick
- Several weeks of crew training and sea trials on Kennewick
- January 2012: Kennewick begins service on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route, Chetzemoka replaces Rhododendron on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route, Salish goes into standby status until peak season
Financial Information
WSF has a total budget of $213.2 million for the three Kwa-di Tabil ferries through the 2011-2013 biennium. As of Oct. 31, 2011, the three-vessel project is $6.7 million below budget.
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
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