PORT TOWNSEND — The Aug. 29 inaugural sailing of the new Chetzemoka ferry is being postponed as additional sea trials are conducted this week to find out what’s causing excessive vibration.
The state Department of Transportation ferries division said a new date for the first sailing between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island has not been set.
“We’re looking forward to getting the boat in service and the celebration event just as much as the communities served on this route, and we recognize this delay may be disappointing,” Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said today. “But we must be certain we have a safe and fully operational vessel.”
Sea trials set for Thursday will involve a series of operating parameters that will determine if the 64-vehicle ferry can operate properly on the route across Admiralty Inlet before a cause and solution are found for the vibrations.
Instrumentation will collect data on maneuvering characteristics and corresponding stopping distances.
David Moseley, assistant secretary of Washington State Ferries, said the goal is to determine if operational limitations will allow the vessel to be put into service sooner while longer-term work continues on the vibration issues.
If so, software programming modifications would need to be made to establish operating limitations, such as maximum engine settings before excessive vibrations occur.
Experts from Washington State Ferries, Seattle ferry building contractor Todd Pacific Shipyards, equipment suppliers, design consultants and Department of Transportation engineers continue to analyze data collected last week in sea trials.
The data deals with vibration in the drive train, which includes the main diesel engine, couplings, shafting, reduction gears and propellers.
“We have qualified experts troubleshooting possible causes,” Hammond said. “I’m confident we will isolate the problem soon and find a remedy as quickly as possible.”
Hammond said the new sea trials and necessary crew training make the Aug. 29 inaugural sailing impossible.
For more information about the Chetzemoka, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Ferries/64CarFerries .
