OLYMPIA – The state’s postponing the launch of its newest ferry over concerns about excessive vibrations.
The Chetzemoka, a 64-car ferry, was scheduled to start moving passengers between Port Townsend and Keystone by Aug. 29
Washington State Ferries is not saying when the newest ferry will launch.
The $76.5 million vessel is one of three scheduled to be built by Todd Pacific Shipyards for the state. It was supposed to replace the Steel Electrics, which were pulled from service two days before Thanksgiving in November 2007 because of corrosion found in their hulls.
Those boats – the Klickitat, Quinault, Illahee and Nisqually – were more than 80 years old.
Since then, the state has used a small ferry borrowed from Pierce County Transit to carry passengers between Port Townsend and Keystone on Whidbey Island.
Sections of the Chetzemoka were built at four locations around Puget Sound, including Everett Shipyard. The hull for the new boat was rolled out at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle on Jan. 15.
The Chetzemoka was towed from Todd to Everett Shipyard on April 3 for final outfitting and system testing.
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