By Mark Edward Nero
Vigor Industrial revealed April 17 that it has entered into an agreement to purchase a drydock from a Korean seller in order to, the company said, build on its ongoing investments in infrastructure and fulfill a promise to customers to expand West Coast drydock capacity.
The newly purchased drydock is 640 feet long, with a clear width of 116 feet and a lift capacity of 20,000 LT, making it the largest at Vigor’s Harbor Island shipyard, according to the company.
“The purchase of another drydock in Seattle allows Vigor to better service valued customers like Washington State Ferries, the US Coast Guard and the US Navy,” Vigor Executive Vice President of Ship Repair Adam Beck explained. “It also further strengthens our market position in commercial ship repair on the West Coast and supports our expansion into new markets.”
Beck and his team had been actively looking for the right drydock at home and abroad for a number of months. The team is now working to finalize the transaction and have the dock operational in Seattle by late fall, according to the company.
“Washington State Ferries is greatly relieved and appreciative to hear of Vigor’s important investment in a new drydock for its Harbor Island/Seattle location. We have been concerned about the shortage of drydock availability for the maintenance and repair of our fleet,” WSF Director of Vessel Engineering and Maintenance Matt Von Ruden said. “Regular maintenance is critical to our ability to achieve the expected service life of our vessels and keep them operating well for our customers.”
Showing posts with label Washington State Ferries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington State Ferries. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Third Olympic Class Vessel Joins Washington State Ferries Fleet
By Mark Edward Nero
The Evergreen State’s newest ferry, Chimacum, joined the state fleet on Friday, April 7, as Washington State Ferries (WSF) officially accepted the vessel from builder/contractor Vigor.
The Chimacum is expected to carry ferry riders on the Seattle/Bremerton route this summer after crews complete vessel outfitting, operational training and drills, according to WSF.
The name Chimacum (CHIM-a-cum) honors the Chemakum tribe's gathering place, which is now the present day town of Chimacum near Port Townsend.
“We’re excited to welcome the Chimacum to our fleet,” Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary Amy Scarton said in a statement. “This new vessel replaces the 59-year-old Klahowya and allows us to continue providing safe and reliable service for the 2.7 million customers who use the Seattle/Bremerton route each year.”
Chimacum, which has room for 144 cars and 1,500 passengers, like its sister vessels Tokitae and Samish, offers flexible seating configurations, wider vehicle lanes and two passenger elevators, making it the most accessible vessel in the fleet for passengers with disabilities, according to WSF. The total construction cost was $123 million, in addition to equipment provided by Washington State Ferries.
“It’s an honor for us to partner with Washington State Ferries to deliver the Chimacum to the citizens of Washington,” Vigor CEO Frank Foti said in a statement. “Each ferry built here in Washington helps shipyards throughout Puget Sound retain skills vital to the maritime industry and supports hundreds of jobs.”
The Chimacum is the third Olympic Class ferry. The fourth 144-car vessel, Suquamish, is currently under construction at Vigor’s Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle.
The Evergreen State’s newest ferry, Chimacum, joined the state fleet on Friday, April 7, as Washington State Ferries (WSF) officially accepted the vessel from builder/contractor Vigor.
The Chimacum is expected to carry ferry riders on the Seattle/Bremerton route this summer after crews complete vessel outfitting, operational training and drills, according to WSF.
The name Chimacum (CHIM-a-cum) honors the Chemakum tribe's gathering place, which is now the present day town of Chimacum near Port Townsend.
“We’re excited to welcome the Chimacum to our fleet,” Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary Amy Scarton said in a statement. “This new vessel replaces the 59-year-old Klahowya and allows us to continue providing safe and reliable service for the 2.7 million customers who use the Seattle/Bremerton route each year.”
Chimacum, which has room for 144 cars and 1,500 passengers, like its sister vessels Tokitae and Samish, offers flexible seating configurations, wider vehicle lanes and two passenger elevators, making it the most accessible vessel in the fleet for passengers with disabilities, according to WSF. The total construction cost was $123 million, in addition to equipment provided by Washington State Ferries.
“It’s an honor for us to partner with Washington State Ferries to deliver the Chimacum to the citizens of Washington,” Vigor CEO Frank Foti said in a statement. “Each ferry built here in Washington helps shipyards throughout Puget Sound retain skills vital to the maritime industry and supports hundreds of jobs.”
The Chimacum is the third Olympic Class ferry. The fourth 144-car vessel, Suquamish, is currently under construction at Vigor’s Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Oldest Ferry in Washington State Sold
By Mark Edward Nero
The 63-year-old Evergreen State, believed to be the oldest ferry in Washington state, has been sold. The vessel was bought by Jones Broadcasting LLC for $300,000, previous owner Washington State Ferries said March 1.
The Evergreen State is one of two state ferries that WSF put up for sale in 2016 and were sold this year. The ferry Hiyu was sold in February to a local business owner who intends to use it as a floating entertainment venue on Lake Union.
According to WSF, which is a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, the new owners of Evergreen State have said they plan to use the vessel for active ferry service in the southern Caribbean.
Plans are to move the Evergreen State from Washington State Ferries’ Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island to a temporary Puget Sound moorage later this month. The new owner would then tow the vessel from the Pacific Northwest to Grenada, when the weather improves, likely in early summer.
The 87-car Evergreen State, which has World War II surplus drive motors, carried tens of thousands of passengers and vehicles in Washington State. It was the first of the three Evergreen State-class ferries and served on several routes including Seattle/Bainbridge and the San Juan Islands Interisland routes. It was decommissioned last year.
“The Evergreen State is a special ferry,” WSF Chief of Staff Elizabeth Kosa said. “It was the first vessel custom built for Washington State Ferries in 1954. She served our customers well for six decades, but it is important that she is sold so we can free up dock space and focus maintenance on our current fleet.”
The 63-year-old Evergreen State, believed to be the oldest ferry in Washington state, has been sold. The vessel was bought by Jones Broadcasting LLC for $300,000, previous owner Washington State Ferries said March 1.
The Evergreen State is one of two state ferries that WSF put up for sale in 2016 and were sold this year. The ferry Hiyu was sold in February to a local business owner who intends to use it as a floating entertainment venue on Lake Union.
According to WSF, which is a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, the new owners of Evergreen State have said they plan to use the vessel for active ferry service in the southern Caribbean.
Plans are to move the Evergreen State from Washington State Ferries’ Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island to a temporary Puget Sound moorage later this month. The new owner would then tow the vessel from the Pacific Northwest to Grenada, when the weather improves, likely in early summer.
The 87-car Evergreen State, which has World War II surplus drive motors, carried tens of thousands of passengers and vehicles in Washington State. It was the first of the three Evergreen State-class ferries and served on several routes including Seattle/Bainbridge and the San Juan Islands Interisland routes. It was decommissioned last year.
“The Evergreen State is a special ferry,” WSF Chief of Staff Elizabeth Kosa said. “It was the first vessel custom built for Washington State Ferries in 1954. She served our customers well for six decades, but it is important that she is sold so we can free up dock space and focus maintenance on our current fleet.”
Friday, May 13, 2016
Vigor Lays Keel for Olympic-Class Ferry
By Mark Edward Nero
The Washington state officials this week took part in a keel-laying ceremony marking the beginning of construction of a new vessel that will add to its Olympic-class ferry fleet.
On May 10, Gov. Jay Inslee, state Sen. Christine Rolfes and Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman struck ceremonial welds on the keel of the ferry Suquamish at shipbuilder Vigor Industrial’s Harbor Island Shipyard in Seattle.
Traditionally, a keel-laying ceremony is said to bring good luck during construction and to the captain and crew who will operate the vessel.
The keel-laying ceremony came weeks after significant progress was made on the third Olympic-class vessel, Chimacum. Last month, Chimacum’s superstructure was joined to its hull in dry dock at Vigor. Construction on Chimacum is now about 75 percent complete, according to the Washington State Dept. of Transportation.
“The simultaneous construction of two vessels is exciting,” Matt Von Ruden, director of vessels for Washington State Ferries, said. “We hope to continue investing in long-term ferry build programs to keep up with our increasing ridership and replace our aging fleet.”
The 144-car Suquamish is the fourth Olympic-class vessel and has not been assigned to a route yet. The first Olympic-class vessel, Tokitae, joined the Mukilteo/Clinton route in June 2014. The second, Samish, was put into service on the Anacortes/San Juans Island route in June 2015. Chimacum is expected to replace one of the older vessels on the Seattle/Bremerton route in 2017.
The new vessels are replacing vessels built during the 1950s and 1960s. Nine of 24 vessels in Washington State Ferries’ fleet are between 40 and 60 years old.
The Washington state officials this week took part in a keel-laying ceremony marking the beginning of construction of a new vessel that will add to its Olympic-class ferry fleet.
On May 10, Gov. Jay Inslee, state Sen. Christine Rolfes and Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman struck ceremonial welds on the keel of the ferry Suquamish at shipbuilder Vigor Industrial’s Harbor Island Shipyard in Seattle.
Traditionally, a keel-laying ceremony is said to bring good luck during construction and to the captain and crew who will operate the vessel.
The keel-laying ceremony came weeks after significant progress was made on the third Olympic-class vessel, Chimacum. Last month, Chimacum’s superstructure was joined to its hull in dry dock at Vigor. Construction on Chimacum is now about 75 percent complete, according to the Washington State Dept. of Transportation.
“The simultaneous construction of two vessels is exciting,” Matt Von Ruden, director of vessels for Washington State Ferries, said. “We hope to continue investing in long-term ferry build programs to keep up with our increasing ridership and replace our aging fleet.”
The 144-car Suquamish is the fourth Olympic-class vessel and has not been assigned to a route yet. The first Olympic-class vessel, Tokitae, joined the Mukilteo/Clinton route in June 2014. The second, Samish, was put into service on the Anacortes/San Juans Island route in June 2015. Chimacum is expected to replace one of the older vessels on the Seattle/Bremerton route in 2017.
The new vessels are replacing vessels built during the 1950s and 1960s. Nine of 24 vessels in Washington State Ferries’ fleet are between 40 and 60 years old.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Washington’s Oldest Ferry Decommissioned
By Mark Edward Nero
The oldest ferry in Washington, the M/V Evergreen State, which was built in 1954, is set to sail into history. The vessel has been decommissioned and is being put up for sale, the state Dept. of Transportation has said.
The 87-car ferry, which has World War II surplus drive motors, has served as a workhorse for tens of thousands of passengers and vehicles in Washington for more than six decades.
The Evergreen State was the largest ferry on the West Coast when it was built to serve the Seattle/Bainbridge route. However, it spent the majority of its storied career in the San Juan Islands, where it was involved in several rescues at sea. Its crew also saved the life of an overturned kayaker near Fauntleroy in January 2003.
The recent addition of two modern, larger and faster Olympic-class vessels to the fleet means the Evergreen State is no longer the best solution for moving people and goods across our state’s waters, said Washington State Ferries Chief of Staff Elizabeth Kosa.
“Difficulty locating replacement parts and maintaining a vintage vessel are also factors that make it time for the E-State to retire,” she said.
The 62-year-old ferry was originally slated for decommissioning in spring 2015, but was called back into service over the summer while other vessels were out of service for maintenance or repairs. With two additional 144-car Olympic-class ferries currently under construction, Evergreen State is expected to soon be offered up for sale. Potential buyers will be able to bid for the vessel once it’s posted for sale through the state surplus process.
More information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Washington Ferries Out for Emergency Repairs
By Mark Edward Nero
“Adding two new Olympic-class vessels in the last year and a half allows us to call on our older ferries when we need them,” said Lynne Griffith, the Washington State Dept. of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Ferries. “Thanks to state lawmakers, we’ve got a third vessel under construction and plans for a fourth are in motion. In the meantime, the fleet is stretched thin.”
In order to maintain service across the entire system, Washington State Ferries has adjusted the sailing schedule and assigned the backup vessels Evergreen State, Tillikum and Hiyu to two routes.
The Edmonds/Kingston route is expanding from a two-boat schedule to a three-boat schedule. The 87-car Tillikum and Evergreen State will join the 188-car Spokane.
All available backup Washington State Ferries vessels have been called into service this week while two larger ferries are out for emergency repairs between Mon., July 20 and Wed., July 22.
The 202-vehicle ferry Puyallup is out of service for three days while crews inspect an engine that broke down June 20. Also, the 48-year-old Elwha is out of service for roughly four months for extensive repairs to a drive motor.
The 188-car Walla Walla is temporarily filling in for the Puyallup on the Seattle/Bainbridge route from July 20 to July 22.
“Adding two new Olympic-class vessels in the last year and a half allows us to call on our older ferries when we need them,” said Lynne Griffith, the Washington State Dept. of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Ferries. “Thanks to state lawmakers, we’ve got a third vessel under construction and plans for a fourth are in motion. In the meantime, the fleet is stretched thin.”
In order to maintain service across the entire system, Washington State Ferries has adjusted the sailing schedule and assigned the backup vessels Evergreen State, Tillikum and Hiyu to two routes.
The Edmonds/Kingston route is expanding from a two-boat schedule to a three-boat schedule. The 87-car Tillikum and Evergreen State will join the 188-car Spokane.
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth routes are shifting from a three-boat schedule to a two-boat schedule, with supplementary service provided by the 34-car Hiyu. The 124-car Issaquah and Cathlamet will also serve the route.
Customers traveling on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route should expect longer-than-usual wait times, according to Washington State Ferries.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Vigor Delivers 2nd of 3 Ferries
By Mark Edward Nero
The brand new 144-car ferry MV Samish is officially set take its place amid Washington state’s ferry system. Washington State Ferries accepted the Samish from builder/contractor Vigor Industrial on April 10.
Following two months of sea trials and crew training, the $126 million ferry is expected to begin service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route on June 14, in time for the start of the summer sailing season.
“I’m delighted to take delivery of the Samish,” Ferries Assistant Secretary Lynne Griffith said. “More than 23 million passengers rely on our ferry system every year. Adding another Olympic Class vessel represents the state’s continued commitment to replace older vessels and plan for the future.”
The new ferry’s name comes from a tribal word meaning, "giving people." It is the second of three funded, Olympic class vessels to replace the aging, midcentury-era Evergreen State class vessels.
The $126 million Samish offers an ADA-compliant, car-deck restroom; flexible seating configurations; improved heating and ventilation; and wider stairwells and passageways.
“The Samish represents the very best in state-of-the-art ferry design and has helped strengthen the maritime community by supporting more than 500 jobs throughout the Puget Sound,” Vigor Fab sales director Bryan Nichols said.
Washington First Lady Trudi Inslee is scheduled to christen the vessel at a May 20 open house at the Anacortes ferry terminal.
Vigor Industrial’s US Fab Division has a contract with Washington State Ferries for design and construction of three 144-car ferries. The first, Tokitae, was completed in March 2014 and pressed into service in June 2014. Construction of the third, Chimacum, began in fall 2014.
The brand new 144-car ferry MV Samish is officially set take its place amid Washington state’s ferry system. Washington State Ferries accepted the Samish from builder/contractor Vigor Industrial on April 10.
Following two months of sea trials and crew training, the $126 million ferry is expected to begin service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route on June 14, in time for the start of the summer sailing season.
“I’m delighted to take delivery of the Samish,” Ferries Assistant Secretary Lynne Griffith said. “More than 23 million passengers rely on our ferry system every year. Adding another Olympic Class vessel represents the state’s continued commitment to replace older vessels and plan for the future.”
The new ferry’s name comes from a tribal word meaning, "giving people." It is the second of three funded, Olympic class vessels to replace the aging, midcentury-era Evergreen State class vessels.
The $126 million Samish offers an ADA-compliant, car-deck restroom; flexible seating configurations; improved heating and ventilation; and wider stairwells and passageways.
“The Samish represents the very best in state-of-the-art ferry design and has helped strengthen the maritime community by supporting more than 500 jobs throughout the Puget Sound,” Vigor Fab sales director Bryan Nichols said.
Washington First Lady Trudi Inslee is scheduled to christen the vessel at a May 20 open house at the Anacortes ferry terminal.
Vigor Industrial’s US Fab Division has a contract with Washington State Ferries for design and construction of three 144-car ferries. The first, Tokitae, was completed in March 2014 and pressed into service in June 2014. Construction of the third, Chimacum, began in fall 2014.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Construction to Start on New 144-Car Washington State Ferry
Construction will begin early next year on a new 144-car ferry for the Washington State Ferries, following the State's signing of a contract change order with Vigor Industrial and its US Fab shipbuilding division to begin construction.
“This has been a momentous week for Washington state and our ferry system,” said Gov. Christine Gregoire. “We have just taken delivery of the last of three new 64-car ferries, the Kennewick, and now we begin construction on a new 144-car ferry – an important action that helps ensure we have modern vessels to continue giving our passengers safe and reliable service.”
Work on this first vessel will create an estimated 200 family-wage jobs at Vigor and 350 jobs at subcontractors, vendors and other shipyards in the region.
The new ferry is scheduled to take about 27 months to complete. Cost of construction is $115 million and the total cost of the vessel is $147 million, which includes owner-furnished equipment, construction management and contingencies.
The design of the ferry is based on the 130-car Issaquah class, which has proven to be the most versatile vessel in the state fleet. Benefits of the new 144-car ferry will include increased passenger comfort, improved safety systems, better access for customers with disabilities and reduced operating costs.
“This construction is a vital part of our vessel-renewal program and will allow us to retire the 55-year-old ferry Evergreen State,” says state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. “But this is the last boat we have funding for and we don’t have the money needed just to operate our ferry system at the current level. We are on the brink of a crisis.”
WSF has a contract with Vigor for design and construction of up to three 144-car ferries, but it is contingent on available funding.
“We’re eager to get started building this new ferry with our two dozen subcontractors and suppliers around the region,” says Kevin Quigley, president of Vigor’s US Fab division. “We look forward to putting local, skilled shipbuilding trades to work producing another new ferry for the citizens of Washington State.”
Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry fleet in the United States. Twenty-two ferries cross Puget Sound and its inland waterways, carrying more than 22 million passengers a year.
“This has been a momentous week for Washington state and our ferry system,” said Gov. Christine Gregoire. “We have just taken delivery of the last of three new 64-car ferries, the Kennewick, and now we begin construction on a new 144-car ferry – an important action that helps ensure we have modern vessels to continue giving our passengers safe and reliable service.”
Work on this first vessel will create an estimated 200 family-wage jobs at Vigor and 350 jobs at subcontractors, vendors and other shipyards in the region.
The new ferry is scheduled to take about 27 months to complete. Cost of construction is $115 million and the total cost of the vessel is $147 million, which includes owner-furnished equipment, construction management and contingencies.
The design of the ferry is based on the 130-car Issaquah class, which has proven to be the most versatile vessel in the state fleet. Benefits of the new 144-car ferry will include increased passenger comfort, improved safety systems, better access for customers with disabilities and reduced operating costs.
“This construction is a vital part of our vessel-renewal program and will allow us to retire the 55-year-old ferry Evergreen State,” says state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. “But this is the last boat we have funding for and we don’t have the money needed just to operate our ferry system at the current level. We are on the brink of a crisis.”
WSF has a contract with Vigor for design and construction of up to three 144-car ferries, but it is contingent on available funding.
“We’re eager to get started building this new ferry with our two dozen subcontractors and suppliers around the region,” says Kevin Quigley, president of Vigor’s US Fab division. “We look forward to putting local, skilled shipbuilding trades to work producing another new ferry for the citizens of Washington State.”
Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry fleet in the United States. Twenty-two ferries cross Puget Sound and its inland waterways, carrying more than 22 million passengers a year.
