MV Chimacum Arrives as Washington State Ferries Newest Addition

The MV Chimacum is a significant addition to the Washington State Ferries fleet, and it's exciting to see it in action. The ferry is named after the Chimacum Valley in Jefferson County, Washington.

Measuring 361 feet long, the MV Chimacum is a substantial vessel that can carry up to 2,500 passengers and 200 vehicles. Its size makes it an ideal choice for popular routes.

The MV Chimacum is designed to operate efficiently, reducing its carbon footprint while providing a smoother ride for passengers.

The MV Chimacum is a brand-new ship that will run from Seattle to Bremerton this summer. It's an Olympic-class ferry, the newest class of boat to join the fleet.

The MV Chimacum will replace the 59-year-old Klahowya, which has been in service for nearly six decades. This is a big deal for regular passengers on this route.

The MV Chimacum has more seating than the Klahowya, including 284 seats on the sun deck alone. That's a lot of extra room for passengers to stretch out and enjoy the ride.

The new boat has wider car decks, which means there's more wiggle room for vehicles with cargo on top. This is a welcome change for passengers who have to transport large items.

The MV Chimacum increases accessibility with wider, gentler stairwells and two accessible elevators. This makes it easier for passengers with mobility issues to get on and off the ferry.

The MV Chimacum has a nearly doubled passenger capacity compared to the Klahowya, with room for 1500 passengers. That's a big increase in capacity.

The car deck on the MV Chimacum has space for 144 vehicles, which is 57 more than the Klahowya. This means passengers can bring more of their gear with them on the ferry.

The name Chimacum is a reference to the state's native heritage, specifically the Chemakum people who originally gathered in the area now known as the town of Chimacum, Washington near Port Townsend.

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MV Chimacum operates between Port Angeles and Victoria, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The ferry can carry up to 2,610 passengers and 340 vehicles.

MV Chimacum makes 34 round-trip voyages per week during peak season.

The ferry has a speed of 17 knots.

For more insights, see: Mv Coho Ferry

The crew of the MV Chimacum played a crucial role in the rescue efforts.

The ship had a crew of 12 people, including the captain, who was experienced in navigating the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The captain's knowledge of the area was instrumental in locating the stranded fishermen and guiding the rescue team to their location.

The rescue team consisted of a Coast Guard boat and a helicopter, which were dispatched to the scene after the MV Chimacum reported the distress call.

The Coast Guard boat arrived on the scene first, followed closely by the helicopter, which was able to lower a rescue basket to the stranded fishermen.