Vigor Delivers First Olympic-Class Ferry to Washington State

The MV Tokitae the first of three planned Olympic-class ferries. Photo courtesy Vigor Industrial

Vigor Fab has delivered the first of three planned Olympic-class, 144-car ferries to Washington State Ferries.

The 362-foot ship, named MV Tokitae, will enter into service this summer on the Clinton-Mukilteo route, replacing the 60 year old MV Evergreen State.

“Vigor Fab built a top-notch, first-in-class vessel on budget and on time to serve WSF’s peak summer season,” said Senior Vice President Joe Corvelli, head of Vigor Fab, Vigor Industrial’s ship building unit. “The Tokitae is the result of all the skill, hard work and dedication our shipbuilding teams bring to the job every day. These workers have built a vessel ready to serve the people of Washington for the next 60 years.”

“We have a longstanding, productive partnership in new vessel construction with Vigor,” said Capt. George A. Capacci, interim assistant secretary in charge of WSF. “I am elated that we have accepted the Tokitae. Vigor and their subcontractors have delivered a good product that will serve our customers for decades to come.”

Construction of the Tokitae ferry began in early 2012 and the ship is one of two new 144-car Olympic ferries Vigor is currently building for WSF. The second vessel, the Samish, is currently under construction at Vigor with delivery planned for early next year.

State lawmakers have provided funding for a third ferry and construction is expected to start toward the end of this year.

“More than just a great boat, this ferry represents jobs for the more than 500 skilled maritime workers at Vigor and subcontractors around Puget Sound,” Corvelli said. “The Tokitae is an excellent example of the high-quality, complex vessels we can build here in the Pacific Northwest.”

The MV Tokitae is capable of carrying 144 cars and up to 1,500 passengers at a cruising speed of 17-knots.

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