Washington State Ferries (WSF), the largest ferry system in the United States, recently provided an update on M/V Wenatchee upgrades.
In September 2023, WSF awarded Vigor, an Oregon-based shipbuilder, a contract to convert three Jumbo Mark II class ferries, including the Wenatchee, which was built in 1998, to hybrid-electric power and complete the propulsion system upgrades.
The Wenatchee has been at Vigor’s shipyard for a year, but work is progressing, WSF said.
The agency had estimated work would take approximately a year to complete, but has revised its estimate to say the Wenatchee will return to service next summer. After work is completed, the ferry will undergo system checks and sea trials for a month.
“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,” Matt von Ruden, WSF System Electrification Program administrator, said. “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.”
The Wenatchee has a capacity for 202 vehicles, which will make it is the largest passenger ferry in the United States to be electrified.