The sale of the retired Washington State Ferries, Elwha and Klahowya, to Ecuadorian buyer Nelson Armas has been canceled due to equipment failures, delays and concerns over crew treatment. The ferries, which were set to make a 3,700-mile journey to Ecuador, were returned to Washington State Ferries’ Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility after tow equipment malfunctioned in Puget Sound.
The sale of the Hyak, the third decommissioned state ferry, is still pending. More information will be provided when that transaction is finalized.Washington State Ferries aims to sell and transfer its retired vessels, including the Elwha, Hyak and Klahowya, to free up dock space at the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility, which is needed for both planned and unplanned maintenance on the active fleet.