Wsf-Chetzemoka

The 'Chetzemoka' had to be withdrawn from the route between Tahlequah and Point Defiance on Oct 10, 2021. The ship had encountered technical problems with the generator at Tacoma. It remained sidelined as of Oct 11.

The pleasure boat "Nap Tyme" collided with the "Chetzemoka" on Dec 4, 2016, near Vashon Island. The boater was apparently below deck when he crossed in front of the ferry. The ferry followed all protocol when blaring warning blasts from the ship’s horn, and was even able to bring his vessel almost to a complete stop. No injuries were reported, but the ferry was delayed for 30 minutes before the Coast Guard cleared both vessels for travel. The "Chetzemoka" was traveling toward Vashon Island from Point Defiance. Report with video: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/watch-boat-called-nap-tyme-collides-with-washington-state-ferry-near-vashon-island/

The "Chetzemoka" is returning to the Port Townsend-Coupeville route, restoring two-ferry service on June 19. Washington State Ferries announced on June 16 that the "Chetzemoka" had passed her inspection, and was being moved from the Point Defiance–Tahlequah route to the PT-Coupeville route, starting on June 19. Wear and tear issues with its rudders forced the "Kennewick" out of service on June 15, and with shipyard dry dock space at Dakota Creek Yard in Anacortes not available until July 5, the ferry may not be back in service until July 15. The "Kennewick" needs the same rudder maintenance as its sister ship "Salish" which returned to service on May 27, 21 days later than expected due to worn bushings and pins on both rudders, observed in a routine dive inspection. The "Kennewick" was removed from service the morning of June 15 when a dive inspection revealed the same prematurely worn rudder parts as were found on the "Salish". The bushings and pins were wearing out faster than it was thought they would. WSF ferries were working with the rudder manufacturer, based in Germany, to try and figure out why this was happening. Each rudder repair costs about $200,000.