Washington yards join forces to build new ferries

Washington state moved a step closer to building four new ferries after three shipyards submitted a joint proposal to construct the 144-car vessels. It was a compromise, crafted by the state Legislature, after Martinac Shipyards of Tacoma threatened litigation when it was shut out of the bidding process two years ago.

The three shipyards are Martinac, Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Whidbey Island. In 2005, the state decided that Todd was the only company financially qualified to build the new ferries, a $347 million project, and Martinac appealed. A state hearings judge ruled that the financial pre-qualification of Martinac should not have been denied.

The state at first said it would appeal the ruling, but it later dropped its appeal and the issue simmered for two years until today’s announcement. By law, the new contract has to go to a state shipyard.

Originally, the state said it had hoped to begin construction in 2006, with the first ferries on line in 2008. “A joint proposal that draws upon the expertise and resources of the major Puget Sound shipyards is the best possible scenario,” said Mike Anderson, ferry director. One of the new ferries will operate in the San Juan Islands, two will serve the Mukilteo-Clinton route and one will run between Bremerton and downtown Seattle. The new ferries will replace the Steel Electric Class boats built in 1927.

The shipyards will come up with a technical design and a price tag, which could be higher or lower than the amount authorized by the Legislature. Todd will be the prime contractor on the project and, typically, the hull will be built in one shipyard, but the other components could be done at other shipyards.