Attention all dreamers and ferry enthusiasts! An incredible opportunity awaits, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Two iconic Washington state ferries are up for sale, and the state is eager to find a suitable buyer.
Imagine owning a piece of history, a retired ferry that once navigated the waters of Washington. There are two sizes to choose from, the 144-car Hyak and the 87-car Klahowya, both waiting for a new chapter in their lives. But here’s where it gets controversial… these ferries come with a catch, and it’s not just the usual maintenance issues.
John Vezina, the deputy head of the state ferry system, warns that the process is more challenging than one might think. “We’re not going to sign off on anything unless it’s absolutely certain to work,” he emphasizes. And this is the part most people miss: the scrutiny and requirements involved in purchasing these vessels are intense.
The Hyak and Klahowya have been on the market for over a year now, and the state is keen to offload them. But why the delay? Well, a previous sales contract with an Ecuadorian middleman fell through, and the attempted towing to Ecuador ended in disaster. The hired tugboat couldn’t connect safely, and the South American crew faced deportation. It’s a cautionary tale that highlights the complexities of such a venture.
“It’s incredibly difficult to sell decommissioned vessels,” Vezina explains. The steps to complete a purchase are numerous and include Coast Guard-approved towing plans and Department of Ecology approval. Most initial buyer interest fizzles out quickly, as the reality of the situation sets in.
These ferries, especially the Klahowya, an Evergreen State-class vessel built in 1958, and the Hyak, a Super-class ferry launched in 1966, have been stripped of key parts for reuse on other ferries. This means any buyer faces a difficult and expensive task to recertify them for service. Even the Hyak’s iconic goal horn now resides in Climate Pledge Arena, a reminder of its past glory.
The state ferry system is relying on word-of-mouth and serious shoppers to find a buyer, as they’ve moved away from public auctions. The vessels are in fair to poor condition, and the state wants them gone as soon as possible to free up space in their shipyard.
But what if no suitable buyer is found? Plan B involves exploring recycling facilities, but there are no nearby shipbreaking yards equipped to handle such large vessels. The costs of disposal are estimated to far exceed any profit from scrap metal, and the state has no budget allocated for this. It’s a tricky situation, and one that BC Ferries is also facing, leading to proposals for expanding shipyards in Port Alberni to handle large ship deconstruction.
The potential establishment of a shipbreaking facility in Port Alberni is a long-term project, and it’s unlikely to be ready in time for the Hyak and Klahowya. However, it could be a viable option for Washington ferries retiring in the 2030s.
The cautionary tales of past ferry repurposing attempts are a reminder of the challenges ahead. The famous Kalakala, once a seafood cannery in Alaska, fell into disrepair despite multiple ownership changes. And the story of the Evergreen State, now moored in Bellingham awaiting conversion to battery-electric propulsion, highlights the costs and delays involved.
The worst-case scenario is seeing these old ferryboats left to decay on beaches, a fate that has befallen multiple vessels in Puget Sound and Alaska. The state ferry system’s Vezina is determined to prevent such outcomes, stating, “We don’t want these boats abandoned on Washington beaches. Absolutely.”
So, dreamers, are you ready to take on this challenge? The opportunity to own a piece of Washington’s maritime history is here, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. What do you think? Could you be the one to give these ferries a new lease of life? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!