Oil Patch Bits: Vigor delivers Washington’s first 144-car ferry

Vigor Fab delivered the Tokitae, the state’s newest ferry, to Washington State Ferry officials this week.

The Tokitae is the first of three 144-car ferries currently planned. It will enter service this summer on the Clinton-Mukilteo route. The second vessel, the Samish, is under construction at Vigor with delivery planned for early next year. State lawmakers have provided funding for a third ferry and construction is expected to start toward the end of this year.

“Vigor Fab built a top-notch, first-in-class vessel on budget and on time to serve WSF’s peak summer season,” said Senior Vice President Joe Corvelli, head of Vigor Fab, Vigor Industrial’s ship building unit. “The Tokitae is the result of all the skill, hard work and dedication our shipbuilding teams bring to the job every day. These workers have built a vessel ready to serve the people of Washington for the next 60 years.”

The public was invited to take a tour of the vessel before it began its service at WSF’s community celebration and open house June 8 at the Clinton ferry terminal.