It’s also worth noting that Vigor is currently converting the Wenatchee, and the project is $36 million over budget and significantly behind schedule. So, it’s not apparent to me that they would have done a better job either (and the entire reason WA let out-of-state yards compete for this contract is that Vigor’s original bid was so far above the state’s estimate of what it should cost).
Every dollar saved by having the vessels built elsewhere means less money that will have to be sucked out of taxpayer wallets. “State support” for WA state shipbuilding necessarily comes at the expense of some other industry in the state.
RE; money, some of the decision process probably considers who’s more reliable and generous with the kick backs, and how well it can be disguised. as for provisions aboard, with nearly 1,000 passenger capacity the holding tanks will never fill up. further, it isn’t mariners making the decisions about sailing it around ‘‘the horn’’’, ferries built on the west coast (frisco) sailed north under their own power. (a few exceptions if i recall), even uscg regs can be ‘bought’ !!
they’ll probably ask a few engineers and pull one that figures he can ‘‘make it happen’’!
The Island Class ferries, built in Romania looks less seaworthy. No visirs at bow/stern, but with a gate. Appears to have a little more freeboard than the WSF ferries:
Horgefjord , avgang fra Hufthamar i dag. Foto: Marius Vassnes
PS> All ferries have made several stops on the way from Turkey to Norway, both for bunkering and to seek shelters from bad weather, especially before crossing Bay of Biscay and the North Sea.
not to change the subject (much) but a “rain deck” on a washington state ferry makes as much sense as putting the galley in the bow! …. and what is this ‘fad’ with new ships having the bow and stern slope down to the water……. it isn’t working too well with those off shore race boats.
I think if a WA state ferry wanted to make the voyage from the South to WA it would be no problem. I’ve delivered some dodgy boats on that route, and had to plan for a number ports of refuge. There are plenty along the route. You go in mid-summer, you anchor often, and as long as you don’t obsess about the arrival date it’s fine. That being said, the reliability of the power plant is the main issue.
A little concerning is the glitch they had with the newly installed electric plant on the Wenatchee:
One last question, having spent time on a ship in the yards, while repairs were being made, but not really familiar with shipbuilding, are there any special “skill” or equipment required to build a hybrid vessel? Trying to imagine a ship sailing across Puget Sound on batteries and making almost no noise. The Puget Sound ferries were a great cheap date. Most of the local girls had never ridden the ferries and were always impressed by the trip and the scenery.
I’ve never worked on a hybrid vessel but sailed on several new builds (OSV’s, AHTS & Well Stimulation). All skills were specialized & no one, or one company knew them all. Propulsion company did propulsion, power distribution company does the switchboards & ABT’s, a winch company installed the deck machinery and an UPS company installed the UPS system. I guess for a hybrid ferry a 3rd party vendor who is approved & has a system approved by ABS will work with the shipyard & marine architects to make it happen?
It requires skill and experience to install, maintain, and manage the power generation, energy storage, and control of the components unique to a hybrid propulsion system. While many of the systems may be familiar to many engineers and contractors, the integration of those systems demands a particular level of skill, experience, and troubleshooting talent.
This is a benefit to engineers/officers who work on newly built vessels who like to learn. Many times when a company forks over $2M, $20M or $200M for new pieces of equipment for their new ships they get training & certification included. I have a giant binder full of company provided certificates because of them paying a new vendor for new technology that required new maintenance skills. If WSF didn’t have any hybrid trained officers before, they definitely will BEFORE they take possession of these new vessels. Day rate, hotel, food & travel should be included. Good for those guys.
The Puget Sound ferries were a great cheap date. Most of the local girls had never ridden the ferries and were always impressed by the trip and the scenery.