Nearly a year after being pulled from service, the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Ferries Division appears close to finding a buyer for the ferries that used to operate out of Keystone Harbor.
The ferry system received three proposals to purchase the Steel Electric ferries, which were pulled from service in November of 2007 due to corrosion of the vessels’ hulls.
Hadley Greene, spokesperson for the ferry system, didn’t have details about the companies interested in purchasing the vessels or the dollar amounts involved because negotiations are continuing.
In addition, state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen said a buyer has also been found for passenger-only ferries the state wants to unload.
She said staff should have a recommendation to present to David Moseley, director of Washington State Ferries, early next week.
Ferries officials tried to sell the vessels on Ebay, but nobody submitted any offers by the time the online auction came to an end July 26.
Greene said that allowed officials to negotiate with potential buyers to dispose of the 80-year-old ferries. She said the ferry system sought out potential buyers from scrapyards, vessel brokers and other ferry systems.
Since the Steel Electric vessels were removed from operation, the Steilacoom II has provided vehicle ferry service on the Port Townsend-to-Keystone route until permanent replacements are built.
The ferry system is currently seeking bids for the new ferries. The first one is scheduled to be complete in spring 2010.By NATHAN WHALEN
Staff reporter
Nearly a year after being pulled from service, the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Ferries Division appears close to finding a buyer for the ferries that used to operate out of Keystone Harbor.
The ferry system received three proposals to purchase the Steel Electric ferries, which were pulled from service in November of 2007 due to corrosion of the vessels’ hulls.
Hadley Greene, spokesperson for the ferry system, didn’t have details about the companies interested in purchasing the vessels or the dollar amounts involved because negotiations are continuing.
In addition, state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen said a buyer has also been found for passenger-only ferries the state wants to unload.
She said staff should have a recommendation to present to David Moseley, director of Washington State Ferries, early next week.
Ferries officials tried to sell the vessels on Ebay, but nobody submitted any offers by the time the online auction came to an end July 26.
Greene said that allowed officials to negotiate with potential buyers to dispose of the 80-year-old ferries. She said the ferry system sought out potential buyers from scrapyards, vessel brokers and other ferry systems.
Since the Steel Electric vessels were removed from operation, the Steilacoom II has provided vehicle ferry service on the Port Townsend-to-Keystone route until permanent replacements are built.
The ferry system is currently seeking bids for the new ferries. The first one is scheduled to be complete in spring 2010.
