Washington State’s first hybrid-electric ferry, Wenatchee, has been temporarily taken out of service due to mechanical issues, just one month after returning to operation.
According to Washington State Ferries (WSF), the Wenatchee experienced problems with two of its four drive motors shortly after 10 a.m. Friday while docking at Seattle’s Colman Dock. The 460'2"x90' ferry had recently rejoined the fleet in July after a 22-month conversion to a hybrid-electric system at Vigor Marine's Seattle shipyard.
The issue is not tied to the vessel’s hybrid-electric power system, local news reported. “This is related to having a boat out for 22 months and then commissioning and getting back in service,” John Vezina, WSF deputy director, told KOMO News
The vessel has been moved to Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island for further inspection. Vezina told KOMO News that the problem may be linked to control system communication wires, which may have caused intermittent instability.
“We think it was those signals that caused the issue,” said Vezina. “Now we're looking at those wires and how that signaling happens, so we can repair it and get the boat back in service.”
Built at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, in 1998, the Wenatchee is one of WSF’s three Jumbo Mark II-class vessels — the largest in its fleet, with capacity for 2,499 passengers and 202 vehicles.
The Wenatchee serves the state’s busiest route between Seattle and Bainbridge Island. While there's no timeline for its return, WSF says service on the route continues uninterrupted, with the Walla Walla and Tacoma ferries filling in.
