Olympic-class ferry
{{Short description|Auto/passenger ferries operated by Washington State}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2 | infobox caption = Olympic-class ferry }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Tokitae.jpg | Ship caption = The Tokitae en route from Clinton to Mukilteo. }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Builders = Vigor Shipyards, Seattle, Washington | Operators = Washington State Ferries | Class before = * {{sclass|Evergreen State|ferry|4}}
| Class after = | Subclasses = | Built range = 2012–2018 | In service range = 2014–present | Total ships planned = 4 | Total ships completed = 4 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 4 | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Auto/passenger ferry | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement = {{convert|4384|LT|t|lk=on}} | Ship length = {{convert|362|ft|3|in|m|1|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|83|ft|2|in|m|1|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship draft = {{convert|18|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = {{convert|24|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}} | Ship decks = 5 (2 vehicle decks, passenger deck, sun deck, nav bridge deck) | Ship deck clearance = {{convert|16|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship sail plan = | Ship power = {{convert|6000|hp|abbr=on}} total from two diesel engines or future lithium-ion battery | Ship propulsion = Diesel (integrated electric propulsion capable) | Ship speed = {{convert|17|kn|0|lk=in}} | Ship capacity = *1,500 passengers
| Ship crew = 14 (12 with sun deck closed) | Ship notes = }} |
The Olympic class are roll-on/roll-off ferries designed for Washington State Ferries (WSF), a government agency in the U.S. state of Washington. They are the newest class in the WSF fleet and intended to replace the {{sclass|Evergreen State|ferry|0}} ferries that are near retirement age. The ferry design is based on the {{sclass|Issaquah|ferry|0}} ferries which have proven to be the most reliable and versatile in the fleet. The Olympic-class ferries are designed to serve all routes and terminals in the Washington State Ferries system.{{cite web |last=Goldenberg |first=Joy |title=Ferries - Olympic Class (144-Car) Ferries |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/ferries/144carferries/ |work=wsdot.wa.gov |publisher=Washington State Ferries|access-date=November 4, 2013}} All vessels were built in Washington as required by state law since July 2001.[http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.60.814 Built in Washington Ferries], RCW 47.60.814(17)
Ferries
Ferries in this class include:
- {{MV|Tokitae}}
- {{MV|Samish}}
- {{MV|Chimacum}}
- {{MV|Suquamish}}
History
In the early 2000s, Washington State Ferries began planning a replacement for their aging {{sclass2|Steel Electric|ferry|0}} ferries, which were built in 1927 and were their oldest ferries. They were the only vessels in the fleet that were able to run on the Port Townsend-Keystone route as no other vessel could be used in the small, shallow Keystone Harbor. Washington State Ferries planned to move the ferry terminal out of Keystone Harbor and build a 144-car vessel to replace the 60-car Steel Electrics used on the route. Some local residents opposed this plan, so no new ferries were built. When the Steel Electrics were retired in 2007 due to hull corrosion, no auto ferries were able to serve the Port Townsend - Keystone route. The Steel Electrics were replaced by three smaller {{sclass2|Kwa-di Tabil|ferry|0}} ferries that carry 64 cars and entered service between November 2010 and January 2012.[http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=790&newsType=1 Press Release about New Ferries] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312004852/http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=790&newsType=1 |date=March 12, 2008 }}
It was announced on June 20, 2012, in The Seattle Times that State of Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond had selected the name "Olympic class" from more than 130 suggestions from department employees.[http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2012/06/144-car-washington-state-ferries-olympic-class Announcement Regarding Ferry Class Title] On November 13, 2012, the Washington State Transportation commission named the first ferry {{MV|Tokitae}} and the second {{MV|Samish}}.[http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/nov/13/2-new-wa-ferries-named-samish-tokitae/ Announcement Regarding Ferry Names]
The Tokitae{{'}}s hull was rolled out of the construction building onto a drydock on March 2, 2013. It was joined by the superstructure from Nichols Brothers Boatbuilders of Freeland, Whidbey Island on March 3, 2013. On March 5, 2013, the superstructure was on top of the hull.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosenow_photography/8532445363/ Photo proving that the hull and superstructure were united on March 6th, 2013]
The keel laying of the Samish happened on March 8, 2013. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee was the one to strike the first weld on the Samish.Moseley, David. [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/105768E1-30AA-4CC4-9FE2-AF7DD36B3258/90380/MoseleyWeeklyUpdate_030813.pdf Weekly Update]. March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
Funding for a third Olympic-class vessel was authorized in the Spring 2014 session of the Washington State Legislature and the keel laying and first weld took place on December 9, 2014.
The name Chimacum was picked for the third ferry by the Washington State Transportation Commission in November 2014 after a public outreach process.
The Samish was accepted by Washington State Ferries on April 10, 2015, and christened on May 20 in Anacortes. The ship underwent two months of sea trials and crew training before entering service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route at the start of the Summer 2015 sailing season on June 14.{{cite web |title=Welcome aboard, Samish! New Olympic Class ferry joins WSF fleet |url=http://wsdot.wa.gov/News/2015/04/Samish_041015.htm |publisher=Washington State Ferries|access-date=April 13, 2015 |date=April 10, 2015}}
Funding for a fourth Olympic-class ship was authorized in the 2015 session of the Washington State Legislature with construction beginning on January 4, 2016.
The Chimacum joined the fleet on April 7, 2017.
Washington State Ferries took delivery of the Suquamish in July 2018,{{cite press release |date=July 26, 2018 |title=New ferry Suquamish joins state fleet |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/2018/07/26/new-ferry-suquamish-joins-state-fleet |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=December 6, 2018}} and the ship entered revenue service on the Mukilteo/Clinton run on October 4, 2018.{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Andrea |date=October 5, 2018 |title=Brand spanking new ferry Suquamish launches into service |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-ferry-suquamish-launches-into-service/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=December 6, 2018}}
=Hybrid diesel–electric series=
In 2019, the state legislature contracted with Vigor to build five additional Olympic-class vessels. The ferries in this second series were to be powered by a hybrid diesel-electric powerplant built by ABB, with either on-board diesel engines or shore-based electrical connections charging a lithium-ion battery bank.{{cite web |url=https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2019/09/09/work-underway-new-hybrid-electric-state-ferry/2269938001/ |title=Work underway for new hybrid-electric state ferry |publisher=Kitsap Sun |date=September 10, 2019 | access-date=June 27, 2020}} The 2019 legislation allocated $99 million to the project, which funded design work, the purchase of major components for two ferries, and the beginning of construction on the first vessel.{{citation|title=Washington State Ferries System Electrification Plan|publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation|date=December 2020|section=Hybrid-Electric Technology System Elements|page=13|via=Washington State Legislature|url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/ReportsToTheLegislature/Home/GetPDF?fileName=01_WSF-System-Electrification-Plan-December2020_cd3399a2-3f5f-4362-b09a-b0c0f4ea34d0.pdf|accessdate=December 16, 2021}} As of mid-2020, Vigor had planned to begin building the first hybrid Olympic-class ferry in 2021 for delivery in late 2023 or early 2024, contingent on the state allocating the remaining required funds in a 2021 session.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article243695167.html |title=Here's one thing COVID-19 hasn't shut down: the state's move to greener ferries |publisher=Tacoma News Tribune |date=June 23, 2020 | access-date=June 27, 2020}} However, in 2022, contract negotiations between WSDOT and Vigor broke down.{{Cite web |last=Pilling |first=Nathan |title=After negotiations with shipbuilder Vigor break down, WSDOT will seek bids for new ferries |url=https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2022/06/13/washington-state-ferries-seek-bids-next-generation-vessels-after-vigor-negotiations-break-down/7514879001/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Kitsap Sun |language=en-US}} In late 2023, WSDOT unveiled plans for a new hybrid electric vessel class based on the Olympic-class design- the first vessel of this new class is expected to enter service in 2028.{{Cite web |title=WSDOT - Ferries - Business With WSF |url=https://www.wsdot.com/Ferries/Business/contracts/search/browse?category=6&fiscalYear=&awarded= |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.wsdot.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090327130726/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E18CADE8-0195-43DA-93AB-51BBCD140BA8/0/VesselMap.pdf 144 Auto Ferry Plans] (Archived page)
- [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/your_wsf/our_fleet/index.cfm?fuseaction=classes Washington State Ferries class information]
{{WSF Ferry Classes}}