(WSDOT photo from Wednesday as Tacoma’s tow got under way from Bainbridge Island)
If you saw that big state ferry under tow in Elliott Bay toward downtown on Wednesday – it was the M/V Tacoma, and you’ll see a lot more of it from here over the next three weeks, even before it goes back into service on the Bainbridge-Seattle run next month following seven months of work. From the Washington State Ferries‘ announcement about its sea trials:

… Starting (today) people may see the Tacoma in Elliott Bay or at Colman Dock as crews conduct three weeks of sea trials to thoroughly test the ferry’s new circuit breaker.

“During the past seven months, we inspected and rebuilt the damaged propulsion switchboard system,” said Tim Browning, acting director of vessel maintenance and preservation. “Now it’s time to test the system and make sure it is working properly while the vessel is underway.” …

Once the testing is complete, the Tacoma will undergo its annual U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection before returning to service on the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route in April.

The Tacoma, built in 1997, lost power on July 29, 2014, while traveling from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. A design flaw prevented a protective circuit-breaker device to work as it should. This caused a chain of events that resulted in significant damage to the electrical switchboard components, which ultimately led to the power failure.

P.S. Thanks to Janna for the tip about this.