Washington State Ferries’ vessel Wenatchee, which is in the midst of a major propulsion system and hybrid-electric power upgrade at Vigor shipyard, is expected to return to service in the summer of 2025, WSF announced Sept. 19.
Vigor has been working on the vessel since WSF awarded the company a contract in September 2023 to upgrade the agency’s Jumbo Mark II class ferries with hybrid-electric power capabilities and finish needed propulsion system upgrades on the 1998-built Wenatchee, the 1997-built Tacoma and the 1999-built Puyallup.
“There are no issues with the technology itself, but as is common with major vessel retrofits, we have faced some challenges in working this new technology into the existing vessel,” said Matt von Ruden, administrator for the WSF System Electrification Program. “Working with Vigor, we have largely tackled these issues and are now preparing for system commissioning. We’re also applying our lessons learned for the subsequent vessels.”
Work on the Wenatchee has included removing a pair of propulsion diesel generators, installing electric power conversion and distribution equipment, upgrading old propulsion control equipment, reconfiguring piping systems, and building out a pair of new battery rooms, as well as putting in thousands of feet of electric and fiber optic cable, according to WSF.
Once all work is complete, the vessel’s expected to go through sea trials and system checks, the agency said.
“When these propulsion upgrades are complete, the Wenatchee will emerge with improved reliability, increased efficiency and reduced emissions,” von Ruden said.
WSF has identified its Jumbo Mark II ferries as the fleet’s largest air pollution emitters, spewing as much as 26% of WSF’s greenhouse gas emissions. Once converted and terminals electrified, Jumbo Mark II emissions are expected to tumble by about 95%, WSF said.
