SEATTLE — The Washington State Ferries is auctioning off nine generators it bought for $5.3 million nine years ago but never used.
The agency listed the generators on the Public Surplus website last month with an opening price of $300,000. So far, no one has made a bid.
The Kitsap Sun says the generators were intended as replacements for the state’s super-class ferries, Kaleetan and Yakima, which were built in 1969.
The idea was to install more powerful generators to reduce engine maintenance costs and save fuel. After making the purchase, ferry officials later discovered that the vessels’ control systems wouldn’t support those higher voltage generators.
Ferries officials had tried to sell the generators before but got no takers.
Ferries spokesman Ian Sterling says they’ll likely be bought for scrap.
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