||| FROM KIRO 7 NEWS |||
Two historic ferries that have served the Washington State Ferries (WSF) fleet for over 50 years are being sold and transported to South America for recycling, according to a recent announcement from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Nelson Armas of Ecuador has purchased the vessels Elwha and Klahowya for $100,000 each.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration has approved the sale, allowing the ferries to be towed to Ecuador, where they will be recycled at a clean, green steel mill facility.
Both ferries have been certified as free of hazardous materials.
The Elwha and Klahowya, currently docked at the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island, will begin their journey to South America on Monday, August 19.
The new owner provided a tugboat from Western Towboat Co. to take the vessels out of the harbor at 9:30 a.m. before they connect with the larger voyage towing tugboat Wycliffe, which will guide them out of Puget Sound.
