Sealth

_{Making an appearance on the Bremerton run in May of 2021, the Sealth sails through Rich Passage. Courtesy of Brandon Swan.}

CLASS: Issaquah

BUILT/REBUILT: 1982/2006 Marine Power & Equipment/Todd Shipyard, Seattle, WA

OFFICIAL NUMBER: 662478 CALL SIGN: WAK7089

L/B/D: 328 x 78 x 16 GROSS/NET TONS: 2477/1772 PASSENGERS/AUTOS: 1200/90

PROPULSION: 2 GE 7 FDM-12 Diesels, 5000 HP SPEED: 16 knots

NAME TRANSLATION: The Native American/Chinook two-syllable pronunciation (See-alth) of Seattle, the chief of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes who befriended early settlers in the 1850-60’s.

FINAL DISPOSITION: In service, 2024.

HISTORY

The Sealth is the last of the Issaquah Class in more ways the one. She was the last of the sextet built, the last remaining in the 100 (now 90) car configuration and the last to receive an interior make-over. Completed in 1982, it would be three years before the ferry would officially join the Washington State Ferries fleet, wrapped up in continuing disputes with her builders, the now long defunct Marine Power and Equipment. Finally accepted, the ferry worked mainly at Bremerton, but would also fill in for other Issaquahs as needed.

_{Maybe not the worst interiors of the fleet, but the original interiors of the Issaquah Class left a lot to be desired. They certainly didn’t hold up well, as is evident here in this photo of the Sealth about 2003. Courtesy of Captain Brandon Moser.}

By the 1990’s she could most often be found on the Bremerton run working with her sister Kitsap. As the 1990’s progressed, only the Sealth and the Chelan hadn’t been expanded to carry more cars.

At the turn of the century the Sealth was working more and more in the San Juan Islands. Plans had originally called for her to get the second car deck added; however, it was discovered that her high deck clearance in all the tunnels of her car deck proved to be very useful in the Islands. She settled into a routine of working the off season in the islands and summers filling in on the south sound, usually at Vashon Island.

As the years progressed, her interior became an increasing embarrassment. No amount of cleaning could help it. Her “rainbow” color had been green. The tiles, once a vibrant shade of green had faded to a rather unappetizing seasick shade. The ceiling tiles were still stained with years of cigarette smoke from the days when that habit was still allowed inside the ferries, and the benches and upholstery were wearing out.

In the summer of 2006, the ferry went into the yard for a well-earned face lift. The new interior of the Sealth is perhaps the most distinctive of the six sisters. Using some of her original “rainbow” color, the Sealth has been fitted out with shades of green in the tile and upholstery. Complimenting the green is an appealing dark blue. The floor tile received a pattern unlike anything else in fleet (which has since been repeated on the Issaquah and Tacoma) and it is one of those types of things that you either love or hate.

^{The refurbished cabin of the Sealth certainly seemed brighter. There is little doubt that the seats are far more comfortably than their predecessors. Courtesy of Captain Brandon Moser.}

At the same time as her interior renovation the ferry received a fresh coat of paint. WSF had apparently had some issues with paint in the past (as was evident on the Yakima and Chelan) and went with a new brand. The result was a slightly more vivid green on the Sealth, but more importantly it seems to be more durable. The Sealth still looks freshly painted many years later.

Today the Sealth works mainly as a relief boat for the north Vashon and San Juan inter-island runs.