Kwa-di Tabil Class Design & Construction

[Barnacle]

All the changes I saw (at a glance, mind you) were actually reductions in weight with the exception of the 20' mid-body add-in, so draft shouldn't be a problem; I didn't see any proposed changes to the beam.

[BreannaF]

An article from Tuesday's Seattle P-I talked about the new PT-Keystone ferries, and touched on some other issues:

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Two new ferries could be in service by 2010

P-I STAFF

The year 2010 is now when the state thinks it can have two new ferries plying Puget Sound.

State ferry officials will advertise for bids in September for two new 64-car ferries for the Port Townsend-Keystone route, slightly later than previously thought, but still in time to build the first boat and begin operating it by spring 2010, a ferry spokeswoman said Tuesday.

And by fall or early 2009, a group of shipyards will propose a design for a new 144-car ferry the builders hope will replace at least two other ferries in the fleet. The state could begin building those early next year and finish one a year later.

The design of the 64-car ferries, to replace 1927 vintage vessels permanently docked last November, will be altered from that used by the Nantucket Steamship Co. in Massachusetts, spokeswoman Hadley Greene said. According to the Washington ferry Web site, the Washington design will eliminate moveable lift decks because of cost and time considerations.

Other changes will include adding a pickle fork to the new vessels' bows with an open center for improved viewing; eliminating bow thruster propellers that ferry officials think are inefficient; reducing the size of generators and the heating-cooling system and designing steel propeller shafts rather than the carbon fiber type used on the East Coast.

Greene said the system plans to award a construction contract for the new Port Townsend boats in September, about a month later than thought last spring, but still expects the first new boat to done and operating by April 2010. Moving back the award a month is because of "the time it's taking to modify the design," Greene said.

The state hopes to expedite the project by using parts of four propulsion systems purchased in 2005 for $51.4 million when another ferry design was considered. The plan is to use one system for the first new Port Townsend vessel and possibly a second system for a second vessel, leaving two for other new ferries.

Initially, the system proposed a 50-car ferry for the route, similar in size to a leased vessel now operating on it, but the lone bid submitted by Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle was $9 million more than the $16.8 million the state had estimated so the bid was rejected.

Passengers complained about rough rides on the 50-car Steilacoom II during bad weather and local leaders successfully pushed the state to build a larger boat. Gov. Chris Gregoire announced that decision in April. State legislators approved the reallocation of $84.5 million to pay for the two new 64-car ferries.

Two vessels using the design being modified by Washington were built by a Mississippi shipyard for $35 million each four years ago.

The new ferries will carry more than 600 passengers as well as 64 cars, similar to the number carried by the so-called 1927 "steel-electric" ferries that worked the route before they were removed from service.

As for the 144-car, 1,500-passenger ferries, the state estimates they could cost as much as $283.2 million. They're to be built by a group of three shipyards, led by Todd, which are to submit a proposed design late this year or early in 2009. State approval will mean construction could start next year with the first vessel delivered by fall 2010; others could follow in 2011.

The state estimates that the three 144-car ferries could cost as much as $80 million each but the final price depends on what's agreed on with the shipyards.

The 144-car ferries, if built, are to replace two existing boats in the state fleet: the 61-year-old Rhododendron, which was renovated in 1990 and carries 48 cars and 546 passengers; and the Evergreen State, which carries 87 cars and 981 passengers, and was built in 1954 and renovated in 1988. The Rhododendron now operates on the Tacoma-to-Vashon route and the Evergreen State carries passengers between the San Juan Islands.

[geoffreyfreeman]

I just found the forum a few days ago and it is very interesting and enjoyable. In regards to the M/V Island Home, I live on Martha's Vineyard and sail on her often. she rides smooth and high in all seas and is a nice change from our past vessels of different types. She did quickly gain the name "broken home" after several bugs delayed several trips. The upper lifts were a good idea for our type of ferry system but are now rarely used do in part because of crew training. The seating areas inside are a vast improvement to the "old" M/V Islander which was more of a subway train in style.

[FNS]

Aug 6, 2008 16:19:42 GMT -8 @geoffreyfreeman said:

I just found the forum a few days ago and it is very interesting and enjoyable. In regards to the M/V Island Home, I live on Martha's Vineyard and sail on her often. she rides smooth and high in all seas and is a nice change from our past vessels of different types. She did quickly gain the name "broken home" after several bugs delayed several trips. The upper lifts were a good idea for our type of ferry system but are now rarely used do in part because of crew training. The seating areas inside are a vast improvement to the "old" M/V Islander which was more of a subway train in style.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

It is really neat to have someone from the Vineyard on this forum and one who is riding aboard a prototype of new ferries we are getting for a route that calls for some of her specifications. As you are reading here, we are currently getting a minimum of two of these. We may get two more that would boost this class to a four boat set, but that will be announced at a later date.

Enjoy this site!

More info on MV ISLAND HOME's new Puget Sound sisters will be posted here soon. In the meantime, please have a look at this site as one of the members of this forum did a trip to your area to ride aboard your ferries:

photosbychris2006.fotopic.net/

Photos of the ISLAND HOME's Seattle designed cousins are included.

[Ferryman]

Heh, thanks for the website advertisement, Ferrynut!

Nice to have you aboard, geoffreyfreeman. Next time you're aboard the Island Home, wave to the guy driving the US Mail truck for me. He's a good friend of mine.

Cheers!

[FNS]

Here is a YouTube video taken aboard the Keystone ferries prototype MV ISLAND HOME. It was taken on a choppy day there. This was taken mostly outside from both the Saloon Deck and the Sun Deck. The video takes us from Woods Hole aboard the ISLAND HOME, a tour of the Vineyard Haven town, and a ride back aboard the MV NANTUCKET. Good video to preview how the ISLAND HOME's slightly longer Keystone sisters will handle. Yes, there is some rocking. But, after experiencing this video, she's quite a sturdy ship.

[Kahloke]

Thanks for sharing that link. I'm looking forward to traveling on that vessel a few weeks from now.

[SS Shasta]

Will the 64car capacity for these vessels be enough for the Port Townsend/Keystone route? This would likely be reduced by truck traffic. I remember long (vehicle) lines on this route when two Steels were running. Glad I was a walk-on. Some of this, however, might have been caused by major reduction of service hours for the 2nd vessel on the route during the busy summer season.

[Barnacle]

Practical upshot? No, it won't. But it's about the largest thing that the politicians on one side or the other of the water will allow. Mary Margaret Haugen apparently wants Whidbey Island to be a gated community; Port Townsend merchants like the captive audiences waiting in the ferry line.

That having been said, it's still a larger capacity than three of the four Steel-Electrics. And it's a better truck-hauler than any of them.

The suggestion that the "64-car" capacity would be reduced by truck traffic can be greeted in many ways. There will be the same amount of measured vehicle spaces aboard the boat, no matter what. If ia truck takes up more than one of these spaces, the appropriate vehicle rate will be charged. But the number of defined vehicle spaces won't change.

Don't confuse "64 car capacity" with "capacity for 64 drivers' worth of vehicle, regardless of size." To state that you can't get 64 semitrucks onto a boat designed for 64 Volvo station wagons would elicit a pretty loud "well, duh!" from most planners.

[Political Incorrectness]

Sept 19, 2008 15:50:46 GMT -8 SS Shasta said:

Will the 64car capacity for these vessels be enough for the Port Townsend/Keystone route? This would likely be reduced by truck traffic. I remember long (vehicle) lines on this route when two Steels were running. Glad I was a walk-on. Some of this, however, might have been caused by major reduction of service hours for the 2nd vessel on the route during the busy summer season.

I am predicting no in this case. However, the nimbys have won in the battle to rebuild the terminals so that WSF did not have to consider specialized vessels. So much for that plan.

[Kahloke]

What would be nice is to add extra runs in comparison to the schedule the Steel Electrics ran (I am specifically ignoring the temporary schedule in place now with the Anderson Island ferry). With a faster operating speed, the Island Home vessels should be able to shave at least 5 minutes off the crossing time. In essence, if the PT-KEY run is 25 minutes instead of 30, you could have complete vessel turnaround in 40 minutes, instead of 45, assuming the current 15 minute dwell time stays in effect. That little savings in itself could potentially allow time for 1 or 2 additional sailings per day.

[Barnacle]

Potentially, yes, but it's also rather counter to the edict of thou shalt slow down to save fuel. That one hasn't come out just yet, but I suspect it's only a matter of time.

[FNS]

Washington State Ferries has released what should be the final design of the new Keystone ferries.

The wave breakers have been omitted as well as the stowable Mezzanine Deck vehicle decks. The ends will be like those found on other ferries in the WSF fleet with the net barriers at each end and pickle-fork platforms at each end on the Saloon Deck. There will be six lanes for up to 64 cars on the Main Deck.

The Port Side Mezzanine Deck Lounge remains and is ADA accessible. The Starboard Side Mezzanine Deck Lounge will be for bicycle storage, a major step forward for bikers. A Marine Evacuation Slide will be located on these Mezzanine decks at each side.

The Saloon Deck will have some differences over the MV ISLAND HOME, the prototype that much of the overall design is based on. The heads will be slightly different as well as the galley. It appears that the ship’s office will be enclosed rather than open that’s on the ISLAND HOME. The observatories on the new Keystone ferries will have a somewhat limited viewing range than the ILLAHEE, NISQUALLY, and QUINAULT, with all those safety lockers and other design considerations, but will be better than the ISLAND HOME. The observatories on the ISLAND HOME are six windows wide with a doorway acting as a side window at each side. On the new Keystone ferries, the observatories will be eight windows wide with side windows and doorways like the ISLAND HOME. The pickle-fork deck design will allow you to see more of the water from the observatories than what you can see on the ISLAND HOME.

The Sun Deck will offer about the same “all around” open promenade that was available on the Steel-Electrics. Stair access to this deck will be from the main cabin areas on the Saloon Deck as well as four corner stairways leading to the pickle-fork decks at the ends.

The single handed most important design change over the ISLAND HOME will be the elevators. On the ISLAND HOME, only the Number One End elevator gives access to all decks (including the Sun Deck). The Number Two End elevator goes only as far as the Saloon Deck. On the new Keystone ferries, BOTH ELEVATORS will serve ALL DECKS (including the Sun Deck). Given this, we may never see another ADA Alert on the Keystone Run anymore. The ILLAHEE, NISQUALLY, and QUINAULT had an elevator at the Number One End only and served the Main and Saloon decks only. The KLICKITAT had none.

Working conditions for the crew will be better than the Steel-Electrics. All crew spaces, including the wheelhouses, accommodations, rest areas, and most of the mechanical spaces, will be accessible from inside. The wide wheelhouses will offer the crew better views, especially during rescue boat operations (they won‘t have to go outside to see this and miss calls on the radios).

The new Keystone ferries will have a longer hull than the ISLAND HOME. The ISLAND HOME measures 255 feet in overall length. The new ones will measure 274 feet (actually 273 feet 8 inches) in length. The beam will be the same at 64. Draft is 11 feet. The waterline length will be about the same as the Steel-Electrics at 251 feet. The Steel-Electrics measured 256 in overall length, nearly 74 feet in beam, and had a draft of 12 feet. While truckers faced a low overhead clearance on the Steel-Electrics, the new ferries will have a clearance of 15 or 16 feet on the Main Deck.

[Barnacle]

wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Ferries/NewVessel/FAQ.htm
The one-page synopsis

www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/business/contracts/Contracts.aspx?category=&fiscalyear=&awarded=
The full Monty

[Kahloke]

Wow, Barnacle. Thanks for the link to "The Full Monty". The PDF which has the deck plans and profiles is particularly interesting, and illuminating. I guess the partial-height bow doors got the axe. I suppose this would have been an added expense and complexity WSF thought they could do without. In looking at the drawings, it seems WSF is going with one stairwell and 6 lanes of traffic, after all, albeit with an offset stair/chase. It looks like this should be a good vessel - can't wait!

[Mill Bay]

One thing that confuses me about the drawings is that they appear to show main stairway access on only one side from the cardeck up to the upper lounges, the other side instead having bycicle ramps off the cardeck, then staiways leading up, but not directly from the cardeck.

If they are using the same cardeck layout with a central tunnel and two side galleries under the mezzanine decks, why aren't they providing stairway access on either side of the cardeck up through the casing structures like most of the other ferries with this same type of cardeck layout have. Basing this notion of experience with the Jumbo classes and our C-Class, there should technically be four passenger stairway towers leading up from the cardeck... two on each side, otherwise some people are going to have to do a lot of crawling around cars to get to a stairway.

[FNS]

In actuality, there will be a stairway that will go up to the Bike Deck at each end on the Starboard Side from the Main Deck. The design shows a small ramp on the side of the stairway assembly that bikers can use to roll their two-wheelers up while stepping up.



Everyone will be able to use these stairs (except wheelchair folks who will use the elevators). There will be access to the Saloon Deck from the Bike Deck.

[Barnacle]

Yes, I was looking at that one and having considerable difficulty following the logic. I'll have to do a little more delving... I was more surprised that they actually thought of the ramp idea instead of putting stairs to the bicycle section from the car deck. I mean... goofier things have happened, especially in the design phase of some of the boats. After all, the vibratory problem of the Jumbo Mark IIs was traced to a design flaw in the old Jumbos that was retroactively corrected but nobody at WSF had the history anymore.

Or the sudden and rather rude discovery that the Jumbo Mark I's quiet passenger cabins were quiet only because the carpet deadened the noise. (They discovered this AFTER they took the carpet out on the Spokane.) That having been said, I'm glad the carpet is gone... remember the gray-brown carpet on the Walla Walla that disappeared a couple of years ago? If you know that the carpet was originally a bluish-gray, you'll understand why it was a bad idea.

[FNS]

I think in the long run, though, the ramp may be deleted. One may mistaken this as a step and have a great fall (especially those without the privilege of vision).

We'll see what will actually be next to the steps. Perhaps a narrow 3 or 4 inch wide half tubular pipe tire groove.

[Barnacle]

Y'know, that isn't a bad idea. A simple PVC-type pipe that would be easily removed and replaced when it gets damaged or worn out. Not to mention easy to clean!

[old_wsf_fan]

Is WSF still planning on using the consortium of the 3 shipyards to build the Island Home series?

Is this going to be a hinderence on getting the vessels up and running or will it actually speed up the process?

I am hoping that it gets those boats done sooner.

[DENelson83]

Well, apparently WSF hates bow doors.

[EGfleet]

Oct 1, 2008 20:55:07 GMT -8 old_wsf_fan said:

Is WSF still planning on using the consortium of the 3 shipyards to build the Island Home series?

Is this going to be a hinderence on getting the vessels up and running or will it actually speed up the process?

I am hoping that it gets those boats done sooner.

The consortium was for the 144's, not the Island Home series.

That contract is currently out for bid, and since it hasn't been awarded yet, there's no consortium to consider--at least at this point. I suspect it'll be a single yard that gets it.

[Freeland]

Today's South Whidbey Record has an article on Nichol Brothers bid.

www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/swr/news/30442659.html

Nichols Brothers vies for Keystone ferry contract
By ROY JACOBSON
South Whidbey Record Reporter
Today, 10:57 AM · UPDATED


FREELAND — Nichols Brothers Boat Builders is preparing a bid to construct a portion of two new 64-car high-speed ferries for the Keystone-Port Townsend run, said Matt Nichols, managing director for business development, Thursday.

The ferry contract is just one indication of vibrancy in the boatbuilding industry generally and at Nichols Brothers in particular, despite the souring economy, he said.

“Our industry is very strong,” he said.

Nichols Brothers, Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle and Everett Shipyards of Everett will bid jointly on the contracts to build the new ferries, slated for service in 2010.

Nichols said bids on the $84.5 million project will be opened by state officials on Nov. 6, and the contracts are to be awarded within 10 days. The first vessel would go into service in April 2010, and the second later that fall, state officials say.

The contract contains an option for a third ferry, Nichols said.

“There will be other companies bidding, but we definitely have a shot,” Nichols said. “We feel we have a great team, and we’ve worked together before.”

He said if it gets the contract, Nichols Brothers will hire more employees.

Even so, the firm is hiring now, he added, because of a new contract for two more large catamarans.

“The marine industry is very strong — military, government, private and commercial,” he said. “The weak dollar is a strength for us, and we’re trying to market worldwide.”

In fact, he said, he was leaving Friday for a ferry trade show in Hong Kong.

The state Department of Transportation ordered the two new ferries for the Keystone-Port Townsend run after four 80-year-old Steel Electrics were pulled from service a year ago by Washington State Ferries because of safety concerns.

A vessel leased from Pierce County is serving the route until the new ferries come on-line.

The new vessels will be modified versions of the Island Home, a 255-foot ferry operated by the Nantucket Steamship Co. that has run the seven-mile, 40-minute route between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts since March 2007.

The Island Home was designed by the Elliott Bay Design Group of Seattle and built by VT Halter Marine Inc., of Moss Point, Mass. It can carry 76 vehicles and 1,200 passengers.

Ferry officials who checked out the Island Home reported that it is highly maneuverable for its size, it can operate smoothly in rough weather and it is well-suited for operations on the Keystone-Port Townsend route, with modifications to allow for shallow conditions.

Nichols said that if his firm gets the contract, it would build the top sections of the boats, including the entire passenger deck and galley, and the pilot houses and machinery compartments for the heating and air-conditioning systems.

He said that while the base of the boats will be steel, the Nichols Brothers’ section would be aluminum.

“We’re considered aluminum experts,” he said. “We have a lot of experience with aluminum.”

Nichols said most of that experience comes from construction of 41 large aluminum catamarans of an Australian design that the company has produced since 1982.

Nichols Brothers has two of the vessels under construction, and two more have just been ordered by the Bay Area Water Transit Authority in San Francisco, Calif., Nichols said.

The catamarans are about $8.8 million each, and the first is due for launch in about 10 days, he said.

Meanwhile, the company is midway through contracts to build five large tugboats. The $10-million tractor vessels are 100 feet long and weigh 85 tons.

The third and latest tug is undergoing sea trials at Langley Marina, and is expected to be delivered to its owner, the Minette Bay Co., of Prince Rupert, B.C., in about two weeks, Nichols said.

The other four tugs were ordered by a San Francisco towing company, he said.

A year ago, financial woes forced layoffs and the eventual sale of Nichols Brothers to Ice Floe, based in Dallas, Texas.

Nichols said recently that the acquisition left Nichols Brothers better financed and better structured.


South Whidbey Record Reporter Roy Jacobson can be reached at [e-mail] or 360-221-5300.

[FNS]

EDITED:

Sounds very exciting! The consortium wins!

Todd will build the hulls with the Main Deck structure provided by Everett Shipyard. Nichols will build the passenger decks as mentioned above.

Good luck TN&E!