Washington State Ferries last week released a document to “set the record straight” on the new MV Chetzemoka ferry, which serves the route between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island.
It was released to address rumors and “a few inaccuracies in various media reports” (none of which was carried in the Peninsula Daily News):
Ferry’s tilt
Inaccuracy: The Chetzemoka has an unanticipated or unintended incline to one side (list) that is noticeable while the boat is sailing, making it inefficient and creating safety concerns.
Correct information: The 1 percent list is part of the design to maximize the number of trucks/oversize vehicles the vessel can carry and is due to the location of three stair towers and two elevators on one side.
Based on the design, the ferry has no list when loaded with vehicles. As part of the vessel’s certification process, the Coast Guard performed a vessel-wide stability test and deemed the Chetzemoka safe.
The Island Home, a Massachusetts ferry whose design was used for the Chetzemoka, also has a designed-in 1 percent list that is eliminated when the vessel is loaded with vehicles.
There is no plan to add ballast (weight) to counter this list when the vessel is not loaded.
Expense
Inaccuracy: The Chetzemoka is the most expensive ferry ever built in the United States.
Correct information: WSF’s Jumbo Mark II ferries cost $86 million each. The Kennicott (Alaska) cost more than $80 million.
The Superferries Alakai and Huakai, built for Hawaiian waters, came in at $85 million and $91 million, respectively.
(Note: The Chetzemoka is the most expensive ferry built by the state of Washington. It is also the first the state has built in more than a decade.)
Cost overrun
Inaccuracy: The Chetzemoka was supposed to cost $65.5 million but instead cost $80.1 million.
Correct information: The final cost of the Chetzemoka was $79.4 million.
The original budget was $76.93 million, including construction, risk and contingency, and construction management.
The $65.5 million figure was the construction bid from Todd Shipyards. It is standard practice in capital budgeting to include contingency and risk costs and construction management.
There has been an additional $663,000 of work on the Chetzemoka that will be charged to the three-vessel procurement program.
When the state Legislature funded the second and third vessels with a $136.3 million budget, WSF combined that with the $76.93 million Chetzemoka budget, giving one budget for all three boats totaling $213.2 million.
Original estimate
Inaccuracy: The original engineer’s estimate to build the Chetzemoka was $49.5 million.
Correct information: The original $49.5 million engineer’s estimate was calculated assuming there would be competition.
At the start of the process, four shipyards were interested. Three removed themselves for various reasons, including bonding and apprenticeship goals.
A $58.2 million engineer’s estimate was used at bid opening, using the labor rate of the single source bid.
The final construction bid was $65.5 million, or an 11 percent difference from the engineer’s estimate.
Plaguing problems?
Inaccuracy: WSF crews say the Chetzemoka is plagued with problems.
Correct information: The captains and crews who have trained on and are operating the Chetzemoka are pleased with the vessel’s performance.
A number of media outlets have interviewed the captains and crews of the vessel, who are very forthright in their approval of the vessel.
Propellers inefficient?
Inaccuracy: The Chetzemoka’s propellers are inefficient.
Correct information: The Island Home (a Massachusetts ferry whose design was used for the Chetzemoka) has fixed-pitch propellers like the Chetzemoka that operate well in challenging waterways with currents and restricted harbors in Massachusetts.
WSF developed procedures and engine-control protocols during several weeks of sea trials to ensure efficient operation.
The vessel is operating on WSF’s most challenging route, with strong crosscurrents at the narrow, shallow Keystone Harbor (on Whidbey Island).
Design, build ferries?
Inaccuracy: WSF needs to get out of the business of designing and building vessels.
Correct information: WSF does not design or build vessels.
Elliott Bay Design Group designed the Chetzemoka, and Todd Pacific Shipyards built it.
