- 8:28 am - Mon, Oct 11, 2010
Chetzemoka Ferry Makes Inaugural Sailing November 14
The first new ferry in Washington state in more than a decade will make its inaugural sailing Sunday, Nov. 14, between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend.
The 64-vehicle MV Chetzemoka, named after the late Klallam Chief Chetzemoka, will be christened by Gov. Chris Gregoire and recognized by the Klallam tribes. Chief Chetzemoka was known as a peaceful man and a wise diplomat who was believed to be about 80 when he died in 1888.
The governor, legislators, state and local officials and an estimated 300 invited guests from communities on both sides of Admiralty Inlet will board the vessel at the Whidbey Island Coupeville (Keystone) terminal following ceremonies. They will take a one-hour cruise to Port Townsend where representatives of the Klallam tribes will conduct a ceremony aboard the Chetzemoka.
Afterwards, the 750-passenger ferry will be available for public viewing in Port Townsend. Many people from the Olympic Peninsula and Whidbey Island are expected to attend the events at both terminals.
A more detailed schedule of the inaugural-sailing events, which are sponsored by Todd Pacific Shipyards, will be announced soon.
The new ferry will begin its regularly scheduled service between Port Townsend and the Coupeville (Keystone) terminal on Monday, Nov. 15.
“The Chetzemoka provides an important link between communities on both sides of the inlet,” Gov. Gregoire said. “The inaugural sailing is truly a big event, and I’m thrilled to be able to share in the excitement of the occasion.”
An inaugural sailing was originally scheduled for August, but was delayed when excessive vibrations were discovered in sea trials and later resolved by the shipbuilder.
“I want to commend and thank all the men and women from Todd Pacific Shipyards, Everett Shipyard, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Jesse Engineering for building such a magnificent vessel,” state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said. “The Chetzemoka is the first in a series of vessels that provide vital transportation links throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
- 9:30 am - Thu, Sep 30, 2010
Chetzemoka Arrives For Training
A terrific site in Port Townsend, as the new ferry Chetzemoka has arrived to begin the crew training phase of it’s deployment.
- 2:52 pm - Fri, Sep 17, 2010
Chetzemoka Ferry Could Launch By Halloween
By Charlie Bermant, Peninsula Daily News.
Washington State Ferry personnel are now inspecting the newly constructed ferry MV Chetzemoka in preparation for crew training next week, with an eye to having the boat on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route by the end of October.
The ferry, which was delivered to the state Wednesday, is docked in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island, where employees are familiarizing themselves with the vessel, said Marta Coursey, state ferries system spokeswoman, on Thursday.
After a few days in Eagle Harbor, the Chetzemoka will taken out for crew training in Keystone Harbor, followed by training on the route across Admiralty Inlet between Coupeville and Port Townsend, she said, adding she could not provide specific dates.
The date of the inaugural sailing is not set either, Coursey said.
State ferries system officials have estimated the boat would be placed in service after about six weeks of training following the transfer of ownership.
Six weeks from the date of the transfer would be Oct. 27.
Coursey said the state would like to get the new boat in service by the end of October, when the state’s lease with Pierce County for the Steilacoom II is due to expire.
“We’re all anxious to get the boat running,” Coursey said.
“But we don’t want to set a date until everything is really solid.”
The original bid for the Chetzemoka, which was built by Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle, was $65.6 million but the final cost was $76.5 million.
The new ferry is rated to carry 64 cars and 750 passengers.
It was originally set to begin service on Aug. 29, but a vibration in the propeller at high speeds necessitated further tests and a software reconfiguration.
The vibration occurred when the boat was attempting to navigate Keystone Harbor, which requires a power spurt to cross the mouth of the harbor with the ability to slow down smoothly once in the harbor, state ferry officials said.
Once the Eagle Harbor inspection and Keystone Harbor training have been finished, the ferry will make test runs between Port Townsend and Coupeville, staggering times with the Steilacoom II so that the two boats won’t approach the dock at the same time.
At that time, the boat will be visible from the shore in Port Townsend.
Coursey said that engineers want to know that Chetzemoka can adequately navigate the harbor before setting a date for the first sailing.
The Steilacoom II, which has plied the rough waters of Admiralty Inlet since January 2008, has been plagued by choppy rides and cancellations.
- 9:33 am - Tue, Aug 17, 2010
The young winners of the drawing for the inaugural sailing of the new ferry Chetzemoka have been announced.
11-year-old Wil Gale provided the drawing above, and we’re happy to share it. Thanks Wil!
Each of the children below will get to ride on the first sailing of the ferry, along with a parent. Congratulations!
Rachel Urner (11)
Davis Owen (4)
Lauren Taracka (10)
Emillia Nunn (6)
Savannah Nelson (4)
Morgan Trail ( 6 1/2)
- 1:47 pm - Thu, Aug 12, 2010
New sea trials begin August 16
Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division said today that changes to software controlling the propeller system on the new Chetzemoka ferry may provide a temporary solution to vibration issues first discovered last month.
Additional sea trials are scheduled for the middle of next week after representatives of the propulsion-control company write software exerting greater control over the engine “ramping,” which allows the bow propeller to slow the ship as it approaches the dock. The goal is to ramp up the propeller speed over a period of a few seconds longer, as opposed to a more sudden and quick thrust of power.
“The good news is that we have identified software changes that may prevent the engine from overpowering the propeller used to stop the vessel,” said David Moseley, assistant secretary of the Washington State Ferries. “These new operating guidelines could allow us to operate the Chetzemoka safely and reliably while we continue working to permanently resolve the vibrations.”
If the sea trials show that the propulsion-system changes eliminate the vibrations and also meet the required standards for stopping distances, Moseley said decisions will be made on when to schedule the inaugural launch of the 64-vehicle ferry between Port Townsend and Coupeville. The planned first sailing on Aug. 29 was postponed when excessive vibrations were discovered.
“The whole purpose of sea trials, which we began in late July, is to test every system on a new boat to ensure that it can operate safely and reliably,” Moseley said, noting that sea trials and extensive analysis over the past week have helped eliminate internal components of the drive train, such as engine mounts and couplings and the gearbox, as causes of the vibration.
The state continues to work with Todd Pacific Shipyards, builder of the vessel, as well as the vessel design firm and other marine experts to resolve the vibration issues before formally accepting delivery of the Chetzemoka.
For more information about the new ferry, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Ferries/64CarFerries.
- 9:32 am - Thu, Aug 5, 2010
Just a Little Bit Longer Now…
The new ferry Chetzemoka is undergoing sea trials here in Puget Sound. Unfortunately, those trials have uncovered a vibration issue with the drivetrain on the ferry.
As a result, the original launch celebration that was planned for late August, will now be postponed until they can isolate and repair the issue, and finish sea trials.
We’ll be sure to post information on the updated schedule as soon as it is released.
- 11:35 am - Tue, Aug 3, 2010
JoAnn Bussa was kind enough to send this photo of Les Prince, his wife Betty, and JoAnn.
“It was taken on October 17, 2009 in Olympia, when Les and I presented our proposal to name the ferry, and taken only minutes after the DOT passed resolution # 695, naming the new Ferry, Chetzemoka. Les was so pleased at our success, and I feel it shows in his smile. “
- 11:25 am
City of Port Townsend Invites Kids to Enter Drawing for Inaugural Sailing
The City of Port Townsend is inviting kids to enter a drawing for a ride on the new Chetzemoka ferry for its inaugural sailing on August 29th.
“We want to include our community’s children in this historic event,” said Mayor Michelle Sandoval. “This is a celebration for our entire region and our kids are an important part of it.”
To enter, come to City Hall at 250 Madison Street, second floor, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to fill out an entry form. Only one entry per child, please.
Entries close on Monday, August 9th at 5 p.m. with the drawing being held at the beginning of the City Council meeting that evening at 6:30 p.m. Six tickets will be awarded and will include an additional ticket for one parent as well. Kids up to age 18 are eligible.
For more information, call 360.379.5047.
- 8:53 am - Wed, Jul 14, 2010
Welcome Back
Port Townsend will host a community celebration on Sunday, August 29 welcoming a reliable, full-time ferry to the route that connects the Olympic Peninsula to visitors, businesses and its Whidbey Island neighbors.
The Chetzemoka, a new 64-car, passenger-class ferry, will begin sailing between Port Townsend and Keystone the following day. The vessel, named after a ferry that served the community four decades ago, was built specifically to accommodate the unique needs required to navigate Admiralty Inlet.
- 8:47 am
The Chetzemoka will introduce a new level of reliability to the important water highway between the Olympic Peninsula, the Whidbey Island communities and the I-5 corridor.
Michelle Sandoval, mayor of Port Townsend, WA.
