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M/V Evergreen State career timeline

Published 10:49 am Monday, January 25, 2016

The M/V Evergreen State pulling into Friday Harbor sometime in the 1990s. The passenger deck was raised several feet in 1988 to allow the vessel to accommodate taller vehicles.
The M/V Evergreen State pulling into Friday Harbor sometime in the 1990s. The passenger deck was raised several feet in 1988 to allow the vessel to accommodate taller vehicles.

A brief history of the ferry M/V Evergreen State.

1953-54: Designed by WC Nickum & Sons; built by Puget Sound Bridge & Dredge Company in Seattle.

1954-59: Put into service on the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route. Replaced by the Tillikum.

1959-2003: Assigned to Anacortes/San Juan Islands/Sidney, B.C.; also served Edmonds/Kingston and Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth routes.

1988: Passenger deck cut off and raised several feet, allowing the vessel to accommodate taller trucks and campers. Passenger cabin seating replaced. World War II surplus engines replaced with new engines, though surplus World War II-era electric drive motors remain.

May 2, 2003: Last trip to Sidney, B.C.

2004: Temporarily taken out of service following its 50th birthday.

Dec. 13, 2007 – June 29, 2014: Vessel returned to service as San Juan Islands inter-island boat.

Nov. 1, 2015: Final sailing as a WSF temporary backup boat.