PORT TOWNSEND — Washington State Ferry personnel are now inspecting the newly constructed ferry MV Chetzemoka in preparation for crew training next week, with an eye to having the boat on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route by the end of October.
The ferry, which was delivered to the state Wednesday, is docked in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island, where employees are familiarizing themselves with the vessel, said Marta Coursey, state ferries system spokeswoman, on Thursday.
After a few days in Eagle Harbor, the Chetzemoka will taken out for crew training in Keystone Harbor, followed by training on the route across Admiralty Inlet between Coupeville and Port Townsend, she said, adding she could not provide specific dates.
The date of the inaugural sailing is not set either, Coursey said.
State ferries system officials have estimated the boat would be placed in service after about six weeks of training following the transfer of ownership.
Six weeks from the date of the transfer would be Oct. 27.
Coursey said the state would like to get the new boat in service by the end of October, when the state’s lease with Pierce County for the Steilacoom II is due to expire.
“We’re all anxious to get the boat running,” Coursey said.
“But we don’t want to set a date until everything is really solid.”
The original bid for the Chetzemoka, which was built by Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle, was $65.6 million but the final cost was $76.5 million.
The new ferry is rated to carry 64 cars and 750 passengers.
It was originally set to begin service on Aug. 29, but a vibration in the propeller at high speeds necessitated further tests and a software reconfiguration.
The vibration occurred when the boat was attempting to navigate Keystone Harbor, which requires a power spurt to cross the mouth of the harbor with the ability to slow down smoothly once in the harbor, state ferry officials said.
Once the Eagle Harbor inspection and Keystone Harbor training have been finished, the ferry will make test runs between Port Townsend and Coupeville, staggering times with the Steilacoom II so that the two boats won’t approach the dock at the same time.
At that time, the boat will be visible from the shore in Port Townsend.
Coursey said that engineers want to know that Chetzemoka can adequately navigate the harbor before setting a date for the first sailing.
The Steilacoom II, which has plied the rough waters of Admiralty Inlet since January 2008, has been plagued by choppy rides and cancellations.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.