# MV Cathlamet

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MV_Cathlamet
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MV_Cathlamet.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Cathlamet
> Source revision: 1326948471
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Ship built in 1981

Cathlamet in 2009 History Name Cathlamet Owner WSDOT Operator Washington State Ferries Port of registry Seattle, Washington, United States Route Fauntleroy-Vashon Island-Southworth Builder Marine Power and Equipment, Seattle Completed 1981 Refit: 1991 Identification IMO number: 7808138 MMSI number: 366773070 Callsign: WYR7641[1] Official Number: 636551 Status In service General characteristics Class & type Issaquah-class auto/passenger ferry Length 328 ft (100.0 m) Beam 78 ft 8 in (24.0 m) Draft 16 ft 6 in (5.0 m) Decks 2 car decks 1 passenger cabin deck Deck clearance 15 ft 6 in (4.7 m) Installed power Total 5,000 hp (3,700 kW) from 2 diesel engines Speed 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) Capacity 1,200 passengers 124 vehicles (max 26 commercial)[2] Crew 12

The **MV *Cathlamet*** is an [*Issaquah*-class](/source/Issaquah-class_ferry) [ferry](/source/Ferry) operated by [Washington State Ferries](/source/Washington_State_Ferries).[3]

## History

The *Cathlamet* was built in 1981, as an [*Issaquah*-class](/source/Issaquah-class_ferry) [ferry](/source/Ferry),[3] for service on the [Mukilteo](/source/Mukilteo%2C_Washington)-[Clinton](/source/Clinton%2C_Washington) 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.[4] 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.[5] The computer system was eventually replaced in the early 2000s, and since then, the *Cathlamet* has had two collisions.[6][7]

## Status

In late June 2014, the new [Olympic-class ferry](/source/Olympic-class_ferry) [*Tokitae*](/source/MV_Tokitae) replaced the *Cathlamet* on the Mukilteo/Clinton route. As a result, the *Cathlamet* was assigned to the Southworth/Vashon/Fauntleroy route to replace the [*Klahowya*](/source/MV_Klahowya).[8] 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.[9]

On the morning of February 18, 2021, a propulsion issue was found on the *Cathlamet*, forcing the [*Sealth*](/source/MV_Sealth) to take over the Southworth–Vashon Island–Fauntleroy route. Washington State Ferries estimated that repairs on the ferry would last at least a month.[10] 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.[11] An investigation attributed the accident to human error,[12] and *Cathlamet* returned to service in April 2023.[13]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-today2_1-0)** [The Issaquahs today, part 2](http://www.evergreenfleet.com/issaquahstodaypart2.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071009122705/http://www.evergreenfleet.com/issaquahstodaypart2.html) October 9, 2007, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), evergreenfleet.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-vessel_info_2-0)** [MV Cathlamet vessel information](http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/VesselDetail.aspx?vessel_id=1), WSF, WSDOT

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) ["WSDOT - Ferries - M/V Cathlamet"](https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/vesseldetail.aspx?vessel_id=1). *www.wsdot.wa.gov*. Retrieved September 30, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Kroman, David (August 1, 2022). ["What's ahead for the WA ferry crash: Investigation and passenger service"](https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/whats-ahead-for-the-wa-ferry-crash-investigation-and-passenger-service/article_fe6e6f49-80da-5e24-a680-00b9196f6aa7.html). *Yakima Herald-Republic*. Seattle, WA. The Seattle Times (TNS). Retrieved August 18, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Ferry crash, traffic nightmare"](https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/ferry-crash-traffic-nightmare/). *Whidbey News-Times*. June 2, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Gilmore, Susan (July 28, 2007). ["Ferry system fires captain blamed for Mukilteo crash"](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ferry-system-fires-captain-blamed-for-mukilteo-crash/). *The Seattle Times*. Retrieved July 28, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["UPDATE: State ferry 'significantly' damaged, Fauntleroy dock closed, after 'hard landing'"](https://westseattleblog.com/2022/07/ferry-hits-fauntleroy-dock/). *[West Seattle Blog](/source/West_Seattle_Blog)*. July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["New ferry Tokitae will serve Mukilteo-Clinton route"](https://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-ferry-tokitae-will-serve-mukilteo-clinton-route/). *HeraldNet.com*. March 20, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-route_9-0)** [Route information](http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/index.cfm?route=muk-cl), WSF, WSDOT

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Pilling, Nathan (February 18, 2021). ["WSF: Ferry repairs will take at least a month, Bremerton left with one boat"](https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2021/02/18/wsf-ferry-repairs-take-least-month-bremerton-left-one-boat/4493570001/). *Kitsap Sun*. Gannett. Retrieved February 20, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Kroman, David (July 28, 2022). ["Ferry crashes near West Seattle dock, sustaining heavy damage"](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ferry-crashes-into-fauntleroy-dock-sustaining-heavy-damage/). *The Seattle Times*. Retrieved July 28, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Pilling, Nathan (March 20, 2023). ["Washington State Ferries investigation into 2022 Cathlamet ferry crash faults captain"](https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2023/03/30/ferry-cathlamet-crash-fauntleroy-dock-captain-error-investigation/70064905007/). *Kitsap Sun*. Gannett. Retrieved May 18, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Shepherd, Elizabeth (March 8, 2023). ["Trials to restore three-boat service to begin in April"](https://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/news/trials-to-restore-three-boat-service-to-begin-in-april/). *Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber*. Retrieved May 18, 2023.

## External links

- Media related to [IMO 7808138](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:IMO_7808138) at Wikimedia Commons

v t e Washington State Ferries Routes Anacortes–San Juan Islands Edmonds–Kingston Fauntleroy–Vashon–Southworth Mukilteo–Clinton Point Defiance–Tahlequah Port Townsend–Coupeville Seattle–Bainbridge Island Seattle–Bremerton Terminals Colman Dock (Seattle) Other Public art Current fleet Evergreen State class MV Tillikum Super class MV Kaleetan MV Yakima Jumbo class MV Spokane MV Walla Walla Issaquah class MV Issaquah MV Kittitas MV Kitsap MV Cathlamet MV Chelan MV Sealth Jumbo Mark-II class MV Tacoma MV Wenatchee MV Puyallup Kwa-di Tabil class MV Chetzemoka MV Salish MV Kennewick Olympic class MV Tokitae MV Samish MV Chimacum MV Suquamish MV Wishkah (future) Retired fleet Wood Electric class MV Chetzemoka (1927) MV Kehloken MV Klahanie Steel Electric class MV Enetai MV Illahee MV Klickitat MV Nisqually MV Quinault MV Willapa Evergreen State class MV Evergreen State MV Klahowya Super class MV Hyak MV Elwha Skagit Kalama class MV Kalama MV Skagit Passenger-Only Fast Ferry class MV Chinook MV Snohomish No class MV Chippewa MV Crosline MV Hiyu MV Kalakala MV Kitsap (1925) MV Kulshan MV Leschi MV Olympic MV Rhododendron MV Rosario SS San Mateo SS Shasta MV Skansonia MV Tyee MV Vashon

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 2022 Shipwrecks 1 Jan: Baragoola 3 Jan: Grigory Lovtsov 5 Jan: Tanimbar Bahari 8 Jan: Capitólio rockfall 14 Feb: Trailer Princess 15 Feb: Villa de Pitanxo 18 Feb: Euroferry Olympia 28 Feb: Hetman Sahaidachny 1 Mar: Felicity Ace 3 Mar: Sloviansk · Helt 13 Mar: PNS Khaibar 24 Mar: Saratov (sinking) 5 Apr: Azburg 6 Apr: Donbas 13–14 Apr: Moskva (sinking) 16 Apr: Xelo 23 Apr: Kazu I 7 Jun: Spirit of Norfolk 10 Jun: Vinnytsia 17 Jun: Spasatel Vasily Bekh 19 Jun: Jumbo Kingdom 12 Jul: USS Rodney M. Davis 22 Jul: USS Denver 24 Jul: Bahamas boat 28 Jul: Tourist No. 2 23 Jun: Princess Miral 29 Aug: Hephaestus 2 Sep: 007 7 Oct: Ogbaru boat 29 Oct: Ivan Golubets [pl] 30 Oct: BRP Rajah Humabon · BRP Cebu · BRP Sultan Kudarat 18 Dec: HTMS Sukhothai Other incidents 10 Jan: ROCS Da Tai 11 Jan: Fridtjof Nansen 12 Jan: SMP Novodvinsk 24 Feb: Yasa Jupiter 25 Feb: Millennial Spirit · Namura Queen · Baltic Leader 27 Feb: Lady Anastasia 1 Mar: Banglar Samriddhi 7 Mar: Vasily Bykov 24 Mar: Tsezar Kunikov · Novocherkassk 27 Mar: Omskiy-205 14 Apr: USS The Sullivans 19 Apr: Lana 12 May: Vsevolod Bobrov 25 Jun: Norwegian Sun 28 Jul: Cathlamet 24 Aug: Pyhäranta 31 Aug: OS35 22 Sep: Tartus boat 2021 2023

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MV Cathlamet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Cathlamet) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Cathlamet?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.