The State of Washington spent approximately $213 million to construct the three ferries in this class.

When the Steel Electrics were removed from service, there were no ferries able to carry vehicles on Port Townsend-Coupeville route as no other vessel could be used in Coupeville's small, shallow Keystone Harbor.

[8] The first ferry, Chetzemoka, was christened by Governor Christine Gregoire and began service November 14, 2010[9] on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route.

After a few months in service, ballast was added to one side of the vessels to correct the list.

During a December 2012 and January 2013 fleet emergency, Salish was pressed into service on the well-traveled Bremerton-Seattle run.