Posted on June 4, 2025
Vigor Marine Seattle, the Pacific Northwest’s premier ship maintenance and modernization company, today announced the successful completion of the Wenatchee hybrid-electric conversion project, marking a major milestone in Washington State Ferries’ (WSF) effort to modernize its aging fleet and reduce carbon emissions.
The 202-vehicle Wenatchee, one of the three largest ferries in the WSF system and now the largest U.S. passenger ferry to be electrified, is expected to return to service on the Seattle/Bainbridge route this summer.
“The Wenatchee conversion is a testament to the innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication of our workforce, as well as our successful partnership with Washington State Ferries,” said Adam Beck, Executive Vice President and Head of Maintenance and Modernization Pacific for Vigor Marine Group. “By building on decades of experience supporting the U.S. Navy and other government and commercial customers, our skilled employees at Vigor rose to the challenge and completed a complex conversion.”
Over the course of nearly 21 months, approximately 700 employees worked on the project. All nearly 600 craft production workers were union-represented skilled tradespeople.
Key work completed at Vigor included the removal of two diesel generators, construction of two battery rooms housing 864 battery modules, installation of new propulsion control systems, thousands of feet of new electric and fiber optic cable, and upgrades to onboard systems and passenger areas.
“This project reflects the extraordinary skill and commitment of our team,” said Mike Pearson, General Manager of Vigor Marine Seattle. “Their work not only modernized a critical vessel—it helps move the entire region toward a more sustainable future.”
WSF has accepted the vessel from Vigor and sea trials and crew training are now underway. Following a final Coast Guard review and additional preparations at Eagle Harbor Shipyard, the Wenatchee will return to service in summer 2025. Follow WSF’s Wenatchee blog for ongoing updates.
The conversion is part of WSF’s long-term System Electrification Program, which aims to modernize six existing ferries and build 16 new hybrid-electric ferries by 2040. Once completed and using shore charging, the Wenatchee, Tacoma, and Puyallup—collectively known as the Jumbo Mark II class—will help cut WSF’s diesel consumption by over 4.7 million gallons annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from these vessels by roughly 95%.
About Vigor Marine Group
Vigor Marine Group is a values-driven, established, differentiated, integrated partner with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services. With operations in six locations, the family of companies employs 2,500 people in the Pacific Northwest, Virginia, California and Alaska. Our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make Vigor Marine Group a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors, offering advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry, and more. With deep respect for people and the planet, Vigor Marine Group strives to be a positive, regenerative force for good – environmentally, in the lives of its employees and in the community. For more information, visit vigormarine.com.
