Two state lawmakers raise concerns over new ferry’s design

OLYMPIA — Washington’s newest ferry went into service Monday amid the concerns of two lawmakers that a flawed design is causing some vehicles to bottom out as they transition from ramps onto upper parking decks.

Under a blanket of blue sky, the Tokitae sailed on its maiden voyage at noon from Clinton to Mukilteo, with no fanfare.

The 144-car vessel, with a capacity 20 cars more than the Cathlamet it is replacing, cost $144 million and is the first of three Olympic-class boats being built for the state at the Vigor Industrial shipyard in Seattle. Total shipyard cost for the newest boats in the Washington State Ferries fleet is $388 million.

The Tokitae’s much-anticipated entry into service came as two lawmakers alleged they were misled about a problem for some cars with low clearances and long wheelbases. As they reach the upper parking deck, the lawmakers say, some scrape their undercarriage.

Reps. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, and Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, said senior ferry system managers told them in March at the shipyard that their worries were unwarranted.

But ferry workers contacted them last week to say part of their training on the vessel involved learning how to keep cars with low clearances from going up the ramps.

Ferries managers “told us in March they had looked at it, there was adequate clearance and there was not a problem,” Smith said. “We were simply misled. If the proper analysis had been done, this would never have happened.”

Capt. George Capacci, interim ferries chief, said Monday he’s tried to be as transparent as possible with the lawmakers since they first raised the concern earlier this year.

“I don’t think it’s a problem,” Capacci said. Deck hands responsible for loading and unloading cars are experienced at figuring out which vehicles can handle the transition without trouble and which might have trouble, he said.

On the Tokitae, the upper end of the ramps are sharper than those on other vessels, and that might increase the potential for scraping, Capacci said.

Testing was done by driving cars with difference clearances on the ramps. In one test, he rode in a Ford Taurus with three others and handled the ramp without difficulty, he said.

Capacci said he put in a change order to create a smoother ramp on the Samish, which is under construction, and the third as-yet unnamed vessel on which work has not yet begun.

“I do not think it’s a fatal flaw,” he said of the Tokitae design. “I think it’s one of those grooming issues you deal with when you bring a new vessel into service. There are things we do to vessels during the life of a vessel to make it better.”

A spokeswoman for Gov. Jay Inslee said that if it is a problem, the boat builder is responsible for getting it fixed.

“The governor is aware of Reps. Seaquist’s and Smith’s concerns about whether cars can safely board and unboard the vessel. WSF has sent results of test vehicles showing no problems boarding or unboarding the vessel,” spokeswoman Jaime Smith wrote in an email.

“Ultimately, the governor will hold the contractor accountable for delivering a safe vessel — any modifications to the design of other vessels is something Vigor would need to address,” she wrote.

The ferry agency’s response to their concerns spurred Smith and Seaquist to ask Inslee to appoint an independent panel of experts to “conduct a thorough and transparent investigation” of ferry operations and labor-management issues. They also want the governor to put new people in place — even before a new ferries director is hired.

“WSF must be held accountable,” the two wrote in a letter to Inslee on June 27. “To ensure improvements in the department, we are strongly advising a major overhaul of upper management in the ferries division in order to restore public trust.”

A spokeswoman for the governor said any leadership changes will have to wait until a new director is hired to run Washington State Ferries.

Capacci was one of two finalists for the job when he pulled out last month. Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson decided that rather than hire the other finalist, she would restart the search.

“Once the new director is in place, we can have a conversation about what he or she needs to have a team and structure in place that works,” wrote Smith, Inslee’s spokeswoman.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.