Oil Patch Bits: Vigor’s first Olympic-class ferry christened
Washington state elected officials, transportation and manufacturing leaders were on hand March 20 to celebrate the christening of the state’s first 144-car Olympic class ferry, the M/V Tokitae, at Vigor Industrial’s shipyard in Seattle.
Lynn Peterson, Washington’s secretary of transportation, served as the ship’s sponsor and broke a bottle to christen the new ferry before a crowd of more than 200 people.
The Tokitae is the first of three 144-car ferries planned to replace the state’s aging Evergreen State-class 87-car ferries, all of which are about 60 years old. The second 144-car ferry, the Samish, is under construction now at Vigor Industrial.
Following sea trials and crew training, the Tokitae will enter service on the Mukilteo-Clinton route in June. The Samish is expected to serve the San Juan Islands beginning early next year.
“This is more than just a ferry,” said Frank Foti, CEO of Vigor Industrial. “The vessel is a vital economic, social and transportation link to the ferry communities across Puget Sound.”
Washington lawmakers also approved funding for a third 144-car ferry during the recently completed legislative session. The 144-car third ferry, still unnamed, will be built by Vigor and likely serve the Seattle-Bremerton route.
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