WHIDBEY ISLAND STATION, Wash. — A Washington-based shipbuilder says the state missed a major opportunity after Gov. Bob Ferguson awarded a $714.5 million contract for new hybrid-electric ferries to a Florida company.
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, based on Whidbey Island, says its bid would have created over 1,300 local jobs, expanded the state's apprenticeship pipeline, and reinvested hundreds of millions into Washington's economy. Instead, the work is headed across the country to Eastern Shipbuilding Group.
"It's disappointing for us because it's the loss of the opportunity to train the follow on generation of shipbuilders that we desperately need," said Gavin Higgins, CEO of Nichols Brothers. "This is an opportunity lost."
Nichols Brothers operates a state-approved apprenticeship program and had hoped to use the project to build long-term trade skills across Puget Sound.
Gov. Ferguson announced the decision this week, saying Eastern Shipbuilding's bid — 6% lower than the state's own estimates — offered the best value to taxpayers. The three hybrid-electric ferries are expected to reduce emissions by up to 90% compared to older diesel-powered vessels and will serve key Puget Sound routes, including Seattle to Bremerton and Mukilteo to Clinton.
The new ferries will be delivered over several years, with the first expected in about five years. Ferguson's office confirmed that the delivery schedule had been extended to 60 months from the original 48 months.
But Higgins says Nichols Brothers was ready to meet the original timeline, and even proposed a split contract in which both companies would build ferries in parallel.
"We've had no communications with the governor's office other than a phone call, yesterday to advise us that they were awarding it to the competitor," Higgins said.
Higgins also raised concerns about long-term maintenance and delivery.
"The Pacific is a very unforgiving sea," Higgins said, nothing the vessels bound for Seattle must cross the Panama Canal. "The Pacific is a rough washing machine."
The company says it will instead pursue other projects, such as high-speed aluminum ferries.
The loss is more than financial to Higgins, it's generational talent.