100 INTERVIEW Recovery and renewal Steve Nevey discusses with Justin Merrigan how Washington State Ferries is proactively addressing issues posed by aging vessels 5 6 7 8 RELIMINARY OUTBOARD PROFILE & END VIEW END VIEW END NO. 1 SHOWN, END NO. 2 SIMILAR OUTBOARD PROFILE END NO. 1 END NO. 2 SIZE EBDG DRAWING NUMBER D WSF DRAWING NUMBER TITLE OUTBOARD PROFILE 23038-070-0 (HULL)-XE3500-0 16 12 4 8 0 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 16 12 8 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 4 84 88 84 88 57115 Washington State Ferries (WSF), the largest ferry system in the USA, is a vital lifeline for communities across Puget Sound, connecting 20 terminals and serving nearly 24 million passengers annually. However, as its vessels have spent decades in service, maintaining their reliability and safety has become increasingly critical. Many of WSF’s vessels were built in the 1960s and 1970s, designed to serve a growing region with its expanding transport needs. They have endured countless crossings and operating hours, and wear and tear caused by maritime conditions. The consequences of aging vessels are multifaceted. Increased maintenance requirements mean more frequent and longer service disruptions, affecting commuters, tourists and freight alike. WSF’s assistant secretary and executive director Steve Nevey says that despite these formidable challenges, which were aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the agency is on the road to recovery following several difficult years. WSF has been proactive in addressing the issues posed by aging vessels. Recognising the need for a modernised fleet, it initiated a vessel replacement programme aimed at retiring older ferries and introducing new and more efficient vessels. “In May 2024, the System Electrification Program issued the first two volumes of an invitation for bid for up to five new hybrid-electric vessels,” says Nevey. “This launched a rigorous pre-qualification process that ensures shipyards are ready to construct our vessel design on our timeline. “Later this year, we will release the technical package, allowing the prequalified shipyards to submit their bids. We expect the process to conclude in early 2025 when we will award one or two contracts. Selected shipbuilders will need about a year for production planning, and around two years to construct the first vessels. Depending on bid prices, we expect to take delivery of two vessels in 2028, two additional ferries in 2029, and a fifth in 2030.” A change in state law allowing outof-state shipyards to submit bids has “ We must prioritise recruitment, training and retention of our invaluable staff” A drawing showing WSF’s planned new hybrid-electric ferries
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