SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries (WSF) has canceled the sale of two retired vessels after the would-be buyer's effort to tow the ships to South America failed.
Nelson Armas sought to buy the decommissioned Elwha and the Klahowya ferries and take them to Ecuador. He hired four sailors to tow the boats. However, the towing equipment malfunctioned, leaving the four sailors stranded and out of work.
The men alleged to the Seattle Seafarers Center that Armas left them with inadequate supplies, saying they did not have enough food or water and hadn't been paid. Eventually, the crew was deported by Customs and Border Patrol because their work permits were no longer valid. Armas denies the allegations of mistreatment.
After the failed effort to tow the boats to South America, WSF announced that they would be canceling the sale and returning the boats back to the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island.
“It’s in the best interest of Washington state, the public and WSF to sever ties due to multiple failures to meet contractual obligations and deadlines,” said WSF Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey.
WSF said they were not aware of the concerns of Armas' crew until they were reported in the media. Although Armas denies the allegations, the agency said they place a strong emphasis on seafarer welfare.
"It’s important to reaffirm that WSF’s values prioritize the fair treatment and safety of all crew members. We take these matters seriously and are committed to incorporating these considerations into our plans for decommissioned ferries in the future,” Nevey said.
Under Armas' contract with WSF, he will forfeit the $200,000 he paid to acquire the ferries as damages for failing to uphold his end of the agreement, which included removing the boats by a mandated deadline. The agency still hopes to sell and transfer the boats to free up space at the Bainbridge maintenance facility.
