Kwa-di Tabil class ferry

The Kwa-di Tabil (kwah DEE tah-bale)^[1] class of ferries, previously known as the 100 Vehicle Class^[2] and later 64 Vehicle Class^[3][4], will replace the retired Steel Electric ferries. The new vessels are intended to serve lower traffic routes and will carry up to 64 vehicles. The State of Washington will spend approximately $100 million to construct three ferries in this class. The first ferry, MV Chetzemoka, was christened by Gov. Christine Gregoire and began service November 14, 2010^[5] on the Port Townsend - Coupeville route. The MV Salish began serving the Port Townsend-Keystone (Coupeville) route alongside the Chetzemoka on July 1, 2011.^[6] The third on the Point Defiance-Talequah route, officially retiring the 60 year old MV  Rhododendron.^[7]

In November 2007, Washington State Ferries removed the 80 year old Steel Electric ferries from service for safety reasons. Routine inspections revealed serious hull damage on two of the four old vessels.^[8] When the Steel Electrics were removed from service, there were no ferries able to carry vehicles on Port Townsend - Keystone route.^[7]

preliminarily known as the 100 Vehicle Class or the 64 Vehicle Class, in August 2010, the name for this class was set to the Kwa-di Tabil.

Ferries in this class include:

• MV Chetzemoka
• MV Salish
• MV Kennewick

Status

The State Legislature authorized and funded vessel construction in February 2008.^[9] These vessels are currently being constructed. As required by law, all new Washington State Ferries vessels are built in Washington.^[9]

References

External links

• Washington State Ferries class information
• Washington State Ferries class history
• Evergreen Fleet
• [1]