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M.V. KLAHOWYA
Official Number: D277872 Call Sign:WK7107
Length: 310' 2'' Beam: 73' 2'' Draft: 15' 6'' Auto Deck Clearance: 13' 10
Speed in Knots: 13
Horsepower: 2,500
Max Passengers: 800 Max Vehicles: 87 City Built: Seattle Year Built/Re-built: 1958 / 1995
Name Translation: Native American/Chinook: "greetings."
The Klahowya in 2011. Photo courtesy of Matt Masuoka |
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The Klahowya is one of the rare boats in the fleet today that has served one run her entire career. Since entering service on December 9th, 1958, the ferry has almoste exclusively been on the Southworth-Fauntleroy-Vashon route. Photos taken around the island within the last 30 years most likely will show the Klahowya. Since her sister Tillikum has been assigned to the route, it's a little more difficult to spot which boat is which. And on some rare occasions, the Evergreen State will be assigned to fill in, creating an extremely unique moment in ferryboating: all the sisters of a class working the same route.
The sudden withdraw of the Steel Electric Class resulted in some serious boat shuffling for Washington State Ferries. Fort the first time the Klahowya left her home waters for the San Juan Islands to work the inter-island vessel--where crews took an instant liking to the vessel and expressed their disappointment when she left to return to home waters.
Nearing retirement, the Klahowya will likely finish off her career on the island route she has called home since 1958. |
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At right, the the refurbished interior of the Klahowya. Photos courtesy of Matt Masuoka. Left, when the Klahowya was converted to pilothouse controls, her wheel and telegraph were put on display in the passenger cabin. Courtesy of Tom Sanislo. |
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Tillikum
The Evergreen State Class
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