Updates!

To diesel or not to diesel…

That is the question. While the Seattle Times editorial board and even several of the candidates for governor are calling for at least two diesel Olympic Class ferries to be built while we wait for the first hybrid electric ferries to appear, there’s a real problem with that, as the new head of the ferry system points out.

The previous providers of the propulsion system for the Olympics, seemingly following a long tradition with ferry construction for WSF (see the Issaquah Class) went out of business. So, yes, while we have the designs all done for the Olympics, they would still require a redesign for the engines because what’s on the plans doesn’t exist anymore, a process that would take a year or longer. Net gain: 0, as they wouldn’t arrive any quicker than the hybrid electrics–assuming any yard in the United States even submits a bid for the project.

The Times does make a very valid point about the fact that we should be building two more ferries beyond the three that are planned, because by the time they get online, three are going to be headed for the scrap heap–Tillikum, Kaleetan, and Yakima–assuming they make it that long. That would put the ferry system right back where they are today, with not enough vessels to properly keep the system running.

Building two more ferries, hybrid or diesel for a total of five arriving in or around 2028 should be the priority for the new governor and the legislature. At this point, declaring a state of emergency at WSF to hurry up the process is beyond overdue.

On a more positive note, kudos to the crew of the Samish, who came to the rescue of six people and two dogs when their vessel was hit by heavy waves, smashing in the windshield and causing the boat to take on water.

Meanwhile, in Canada…

The unions and marine workers are calling on B.C. Ferries to have their new hybrid-electric ferries built in British Columbia.

B.C. Ferries, which is not under the constraints of the Jones Act, can have (and for the last several building cycles has) their new vessels built overseas. The company says they’ll go for whoever meets the requirements for the new boats and at the best price.

Just in case you didn’t believe me…

The problems with crew shortages, shortages of vessels, and everything else that has been hitting WSF isn’t unique to them. As this story shows, Alaska is having the same problems.

From the Archives…

The Steamship Authority, which runs vessels to and from Wood’s Hole to Martha’s Vineyard (current home of our old flat-top ferry, the ex-Kulshan) had some lovely vessels in its fleet. Here’s the Nobska, taken back in 1973.

August of 1988 was when this photo of B.C. Ferries Albert J Savoie was taken. Unfortunately, its retirement has not been a smooth one, as the ferry sank last November in the Sechelt Inlet. I haven’t been able to find an update on the status of the vessel since December of 2023, and for all I know, she’s still sitting at the bottom of the Inlet.

Care for a drink? This is a cocktail menu from my favorite ferry, the Chinook, not long after she entered service.

…and to end this entry, another shot I took of the Hyak a few weeks ago. No word on the status of the three retired vessels, (the Klahowya has been sitting in Eagle Harbor for SEVEN YEARS now) but hopefully they’ll be disposed of soon. The Hyak sitting there is downright embarrassing.