PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. (AP) — Washington State Ferries officials say they are still waiting to take possession of the new ferry Chetzemoka so they can start six weeks of crew training.
The 64-car ferry was to be turned over to the system last week to begin service on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route. But the Peninsula Daily News reports that paperwork issues are holding up clearance by the Coast Guard. The ferry system hopes the problem will be solved soon, so the boat can start service by the end of October.
The new ferry has completed it sea trials, and is awaiting results of Coast Guard safety tests of emergency systems. It originally was to enter service Aug. 29, but was delayed after trials found excessive vibrations. Those were corrected through a software adjustment.
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Information from: Peninsula Daily News, http://www.peninsuladailynews.com
