Did You Know? Vessel Size and Capacity

During our busy summer months, people often wonder why some of the larger boats from downsound aren’t redeployed up here to help with vehicle capacity. While WSF is well aware that the extra capacity up here would be really helpful, the downsound folks are also suffering from a lack of capacity even with the larger vessels. Turns out, we’re all in the same boat! On the positive side, the plan is to swap the Yakima (a 144-vehicle Super, rebuilt in 2000) out next spring and bring the Chimacum, which is a 144-vehicle Olympic rebuilt in 2017, so it should be more reliable, as well as having wider car deck lanes to accommodate a variety of vehicle sizes.

The overall fleet number is well below what planning says the system should have. WSDOT Deputy Secretary and head of WSF Steve Nevey’s August 20 newsletter message outlined some of the issues with the current fleet and its need for growth, saying the current “21 ferries aren’t enough. We need at least 24 to operate our current service.” Full "current service" would include the currently-suspended Sidney run. Most likely, the three new vessels being built (one has actually started construction) will replace retiring vessels. It will be up to the legislature to appropriate funding to support building more vessels to build up the fleet.