PORT TOWNSEND — The MV Chetzemoka received a clean bill of health Thursday morning and will be able to help provide two-boat service on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route beginning Sunday, according to Washington State Ferries.
“We are glad this checked out,” said Ian Sterling, ferry system spokesman.
“If it hadn’t, there could have been one-boat service on this route through the summer.”
The Chetzemoka will begin its Port Townsend stay with the 8:30 a.m. Sunday sailing and will stay in place until repairs are complete on the MV Kennewick, Sterling said.
The Chetzemoka is replacing the Kennewick, which the state ferries system announced Wednesday will be off the route for repairs until mid-July.
This is the second challenge caused by worn rudder parts faced by the Port Townsend-Coupeville route this year.
Parts wear out
Sterling said parts were expected to wear out, but not so soon.
The Chetzemoka, currently servicing the Port Defiance-Tahlequah route, began operation in 2010, while the Salish and Kennewick started in 2011.
Two-boat service on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route went into effect May 27 this season. It was delayed from May 6 because of a problem found with the Salish.
A routine inspection found that one of the Salish’s three rudder parts was severely worn and had to be replaced.
During repairs, it was discovered that one other propeller needed the same work, according to state ferries.
On Wednesday, the Kennewick was taken out of service when a similar rudder problem was discovered.
All three are Kwa-di Tabil-class ferries, the only vessels that can navigate Keystone Harbor to the Coupeville terminal.
The MV Tillikum, currently servicing the Fauntleroy-Vashon Island-Southworth route, will replace the Chetzemoka on its current route as the newly serviced MV Issaquah is added to the triangle route.
The Tillikum is currently used as a relief boat for ferries that are taken out of service for repairs.
Once the Kennewick is repaired, it will return to its current route and the Tillikum will be reallocated where needed, Sterling said.
For more information about state ferries, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
