MV Cathlamet

{{Short description|Ship built in 1981}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = 2009-04-04, Cathlamet (ship, 1981), IMG5309.jpg | image_caption = ''Cathlamet'' in 2009 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | name = ''Cathlamet'' | owner = [[WSDOT]] | operator = [[Washington State Ferries]] | registry = [[Seattle, Washington]], {{flag|United States}} | route = Fauntleroy-Vashon Island-Southworth | ordered = | builder = [[Marine Power and Equipment]], Seattle | original_cost = | yard_number = | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = | christened = | completed = *1981 * Refit: 1991 | acquired = | maiden_voyage = | in_service = | out_of_service = | identification = *{{IMO Number|7808138}} * {{MMSI Number|366773070}} * [[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: WYR7641<ref name="today2">[http://www.evergreenfleet.com/issaquahstodaypart2.html The Issaquahs today, part 2] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009122705/http://www.evergreenfleet.com/issaquahstodaypart2.html |date=October 9, 2007 }}, evergreenfleet.com</ref> * Official Number: 636551 | fate = | status = In service | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = {{sclass|Issaquah|ferry|0}} [[Ferry|auto/passenger ferry]] | tonnage = | displacement = | length = {{convert|328|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|78|ft|8|in|m|1|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = | draft = {{convert|16|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}} | depth = | decks = * 2 car decks * 1 passenger cabin deck | deck_clearance = {{convert|15|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}} | ramps = | ice_class = | power = Total {{cvt|5,000|hp|lk=in}} from 2 diesel engines | propulsion = | sail_plan = | speed = {{convert|16|kn|lk=in}} | capacity = *1,200 passengers * 124 vehicles (max 26 commercial)<ref name="vessel info">[http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/VesselDetail.aspx?vessel_id=1 MV Cathlamet vessel information], WSF, WSDOT</ref> | crew = 12 | notes = }} }}

The '''MV ''Cathlamet''''' is an {{sclass|Issaquah|ferry}} operated by [[Washington State Ferries]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=WSDOT - Ferries - M/V Cathlamet|url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/vesseldetail.aspx?vessel_id=1|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=www.wsdot.wa.gov}}</ref>

==History== The ''Cathlamet'' was built in 1981, as an {{sclass|Issaquah|ferry}},<ref name=":0" /> for service on the [[Mukilteo, Washington|Mukilteo]]-[[Clinton, Washington|Clinton]] route. In 1991, in order to keep up with growing demand, the ''Cathlamet'', along with many of her sister ships were upgraded from ''Issaquah'' class to ''Issaquah'' 130-class ferries, by adding additional vehicle areas above the vehicle areas along the outside edge of the ferry. These upgrades had been planned for in the original design of the vessels. The ferry's passenger cabin was updated in the late 1990s, included in the upgrades were the removal of many tables located in the passenger cabin to allow for the bench seats to be spaced closer together in some sections of the ship, and an upgrade of the galley area.

==Control issue== The ''Cathlamet'' is infamous in Puget Sound as it has on several occasions struck ferry docks while attempting to dock—occasionally referred to by Whidbey Island residents as the "Can't-land-it" and the "Crash-lamet," and a 1986 crash at the Mukilteo dock caused $500,000 in damage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=What's ahead for the WA ferry crash: Investigation and passenger service |url=https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/whats-ahead-for-the-wa-ferry-crash-investigation-and-passenger-service/article_fe6e6f49-80da-5e24-a680-00b9196f6aa7.html |access-date=August 18, 2022 |work=Yakima Herald-Republic |agency=The Seattle Times (TNS) |date=August 1, 2022 |location=Seattle, WA |language=en}}</ref> The problem was eventually traced to the computer that controls the pitch of the props, which because of a large amount of unshielded wiring, would short out a couple of signal lines causing the props to re-angle for full propulsion, instead of reversing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 2, 2007|title=Ferry crash, traffic nightmare|url=https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/ferry-crash-traffic-nightmare/|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Whidbey News-Times|language=en-US}}</ref> The computer system was eventually replaced in the early 2000s, and since then, the ''Cathlamet'' has had two collisions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gilmore |first1=Susan |title=Ferry system fires captain blamed for Mukilteo crash |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ferry-system-fires-captain-blamed-for-mukilteo-crash/ |access-date=28 July 2022 |work=The Seattle Times |date=28 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 28, 2022|title=UPDATE: State ferry 'significantly' damaged, Fauntleroy dock closed, after 'hard landing'|url=https://westseattleblog.com/2022/07/ferry-hits-fauntleroy-dock/|access-date=July 28, 2022|website=[[West Seattle Blog]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Status== In late June 2014, the new {{sclass2|Olympic|ferry|1}} {{MV|Tokitae||2}} replaced the ''Cathlamet'' on the Mukilteo/Clinton route. As a result, the ''Cathlamet'' was assigned to the Southworth/Vashon/Fauntleroy route to replace the {{MV|Klahowya||2}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-ferry-tokitae-will-serve-mukilteo-clinton-route/|title=New ferry Tokitae will serve Mukilteo-Clinton route|date=March 20, 2014|website=HeraldNet.com}}</ref> Since being assigned to the North Vashon Triangle route, the ''Cathlamet'' has often been used as a relief boat elsewhere showing up on the Seattle-Bremerton route or the Mukilteo-Clinton route in planned and unplanned shortages. In 2011 she sailed between Edmonds and Clinton for a few days due to work being done on the Mukilteo dock.<ref name="route">[http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/index.cfm?route=muk-cl Route information], WSF, WSDOT</ref>

On the morning of February 18, 2021, a propulsion issue was found on the ''Cathlamet'', forcing the {{MV|Sealth||2}} to take over the Southworth–Vashon Island–Fauntleroy route. Washington State Ferries estimated that repairs on the ferry would last at least a month.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pilling |first1=Nathan |title=WSF: Ferry repairs will take at least a month, Bremerton left with one boat |url=https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2021/02/18/wsf-ferry-repairs-take-least-month-bremerton-left-one-boat/4493570001/ |access-date=February 20, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |publisher=Gannett |date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> A year later, on July 28, 2022, the ''Cathlamet'' collided with the pilings near the Fauntleroy dock, sustaining significant damage to one end in the process. According to WSDOT, no injuries were reported.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroman |first1=David |title=Ferry crashes near West Seattle dock, sustaining heavy damage |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ferry-crashes-into-fauntleroy-dock-sustaining-heavy-damage/ |access-date=July 28, 2022 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 28, 2022}}</ref> An investigation attributed the accident to human error,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pilling |first1=Nathan |title=Washington State Ferries investigation into 2022 Cathlamet ferry crash faults captain |url=https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2023/03/30/ferry-cathlamet-crash-fauntleroy-dock-captain-error-investigation/70064905007/ |access-date=May 18, 2023 |work=Kitsap Sun |publisher=Gannett |date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> and ''Cathlamet'' returned to service in April 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Elizabeth |title=Trials to restore three-boat service to begin in April |url=https://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/news/trials-to-restore-three-boat-service-to-begin-in-april/ |access-date=May 18, 2023 |work=Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber |date=March 8, 2023}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|IMO 7808138}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cathlamet, MV}} [[Category:Washington State Ferries vessels]] [[Category:1981 ships]] [[Category:Maritime incidents in 2022]] [[Category:Ships built in Seattle]]