Washington State Ferries plans to fix the slight list that has plagued the Chetzemoka and the other two ferries in the new Kwa-di Tabil class.

The work is expected to occur later this spring, according to Marta Coursey, a spokeswoman for WSF. The agency has sought approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to address the problem. It is still waiting for the Coast Guard’s approval.

“The U.S. Coast Guard confirms that the Kwa-di Tabil vessels are stable and safe to operate in all conditions of loading,” Coursey said in an email to The Beachcomber. “However, we recognize that some of our customers, staff and legislators are uncomfortable with the list.”

George Capacci, WSF’s deputy chief of operations and construction, told the Whidbey News-Times, a sister paper of The Beachcomber, that about 80 tons of ballast will be added to correct the problem. The additional ballast is expected to reduce what is now a three-degree list to one that’s about a half degree, he said.

According to the News-Times, the work is expected to cost around $300,000.

The list is caused by the placement of a single stair/elevator casing on one side of the vessel, installed so more large trucks can fit in each load, Coursey said. This is counter-balanced by the fuel tanks on the opposite side of the vessel.

No negative impacts to fuel efficiency are expected.