The retired ferry Hyak has been gathering moss for the past five years, previously in Kingston and now in Eagle Harbor. A Seattle shipyard recently offered to refurbish the inoperable vessel and lease it back to Washington state. (Photo by Tom Banse)
Washington State Ferries is taking a hard look at a pitch from a shipyard owner to refurbish two of the state’s deteriorated retired ferries and return them to service under a long-term lease.
The novel idea is bound to intrigue ferry riders who have endured a rash of trip cancellations to begin this year, caused by vessel breakdowns and the absence of any reserve ferryboats. But the sorry condition of the decommissioned ferries brings a raft of uncertainties, both practical and financial…