By Peninsula Daily News staff and news services
PORT TOWNSEND — The state ferry service was supposed to take delivery Thursday of its newest 64-car Port Townsend ferry, the Salish, but it still needs final Coast Guard approval of alarms and monitoring systems.
The ferry service expects to receive certification next week and take delivery May 12 from Todd Pacific Shipyards.
No unusual problems have turned up on the Salish in sea trials, such as the vibrations that delayed the earlier ferry Chetzemoka.
The Salish is scheduled to join the Chetzemoka in July on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route, restoring two boat service between Whidbey Island and the North Olympic Peninsula.
Todd plans to deliver a third 64-car ferry, the Kennewick, by the end of the year.
