Regarding the Friday article, “Year-old ferry Chetzemoka will need new propellers”: State ferry chief David Moseley is again pointing his finger in the wrong direction. Vigor, the supplier for the propellers, did not use poor quality material when building/casting these propellers. The props on the Chetzemoka are nothing special, nothing that hasn’t been used on ships before.
The real reason for the cracks in the blades: Because of the design and engineering departments in the WSF system. They signed off on this boat.
The cracks are a result of the tip of the blade being only 18 inches below the water when turning/spinning around. There is not enough water for the prop to bite on, causing the prop to vibrate and start the cracks. A prop needs water pressure against itself to work correctly.
This vibration problem was the reason the boat was laid-up the first time. Moseley said there is no evidence of the cracks relating to the vibration problem that was solved (?). “The propellers were adjusted to fix this problem.” But this boat has “fixed” props, Mr. Moseley.
There is a saying in the boating world: under-way, making-way. The poor Chetzemoka can’t do either one. The tide is rising and the gin is getting low, Mr. Moseley. This $80 million ferry is really messed up.
Bruce A. Ferguson
Snohomish
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