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Stabbert Maritime proposes refurbishing retired Washington State ferries Klahowya and Hyak to alleviate service strain, with refurbishments potentially completed in under two years. Legislators previously retired these ferries in 2017 and 2019, rejecting a $6.3 million maintenance proposal for Hyak, citing rising repair costs.

House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey is open to reconsidering the leaseback proposal, while Senate Transportation Chair Marko Liias expresses concerns about its return on investment. In addition, San Francisco-based Switch Maritime is advocating for leasing zero-emission hydrogen-powered ferries, emphasizing capital efficiency and partnerships for new vessel acquisition. The leasing proposals have garnered positive attention from local officials like San Juan County Councilmember Justin Paulsen, who highlighted recent ferry schedule unreliability and the need for innovative solutions.