WETA Awards $32M Contract for Two New Vessels

At its regular board meeting, the WETA Board of Directors awarded a $32 million contract to Kvichak Marine Industries Inc., for the design and construction of two 400-passenger, 27-knot, passenger-only ferries.  The new vessels will replace two of WETA’s 12-vessel fleet that are approaching the end of their useful lives.  The new vessels are expected to enter service by summer 2017.

The vessel replacement project is funded through a combination of Federal Transit Administration grant funds, Regional Measure 2 bridge tolls, State Proposition 1B grant funds, and Alameda County Measure B Transportation Sales Tax.

“We look forward to working with Kvichak to enhance our fleet of passenger ferries,” said Nina Rannells, WETA executive director. “The vessel replacement project is part of the ongoing fleet renewal process, which will enable WETA to provide reliable service across our system and enhance our customers’ experience when traveling or commuting across the Bay.”

“The whole Kvichak team is incredibly proud to have been selected to build WETA’s two new state-of-the-art 400-passenger ferries, said Keith Whittemore, president of Kvichak Marine Industries. “We will build two great boats that will serve the citizens of the Bay Area for decades.”