Washington State Ferries nixed a deal this week to sell the decommissioned Klahowya, pictured, and Elwha. State officials said new buyers are interested. (Washington State Ferries)
Washington’s nearly two-year effort to unload a pair of retired state ferries ran aground this week.
Officials with Washington State Ferries announced Thursday they had nixed an agreement to sell the Elwha and Klahowya for $100,000 each to Nelson Armas who planned to tow them to Ecuador to be scrapped.
This might turn out to be a good thing as prospective new buyers have discussed ways to “showcase them” in this region, a Ferries official said.
“What we’re hearing right now we’re pretty excited about. The buyers aren’t looking to move them to a foreign country,” said State Ferries spokesperson Dana Warr who did not name them. “We would love to complete a sale as quickly as possible. Our greatest fear is they don’t become derelict vessels sitting on the shores of the Puget Sound.”
The 144-car Elwha and 87-vehicle Klahowya have been retired since 2020 and 2017, respectively.