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.”

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.