Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, April 16, 2008

State revisits ferry options

Whidbey Island and Port Townsend mayors lobby for boats better able to handle heavy weather through Admiralty Inlet.

By Erik Hidle
Peninsula Daily News

 PORT TOWNSEND -- As the Steilacoom II battled swells and high winds of Admiralty Inlet on Monday, city and state officials huddled on the future of the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry run.

The leased 50-car ferry servicing the route missed two scheduled crossings Monday and ran behind schedule by 65 minutes at one point.

Meanwhile Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conyers met with state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond and ferries chief David Moseley. The mayors hoped that a larger replacement ferry -- or three -- could be built for the sometime-blustery route across Admiralty Inlet.

They were told that the state is continuing with its plan to build a Steilacoom II-type of smaller vessel first.

Washington State Ferries also is reassessing its plans, however, and might build larger vessels -- if it can find another car-­passenger ferry to lease after the Steilacoom II's pact expires next year.

So far, the search has been unsuccessful, the city officials were told.

On Thursday, when Gov. Chris Gregoire took a re-election campaign walking tour of downtown businesses in Port Townsend, merchants asked about an ailing ferry system made worse when the aging Steel-Electric ferries were taken from service.

"The governor was asked questions she couldn't answer last week so she sent us back up here to make sure they were answered," Hammond said.

"We want to make sure everyone knows what the plan is and make sure we know what questions are continuing to be asked."

Hammond said the plan remains the same. Ferry officials are working on revising the original proposal for a new vessel similar to the Steilacoom II after the lone bidder, Todd Pacific Shipyards, bid $9 million over the state cost estimate.

"We are repackaging and cutting stuff off to make the boat less expensive," Hammond said.

"We are trying our best to make the final price less expensive."

Hammond said while State Ferries, which is a division of the Department of Transportation, continues to work on repackaging the bid, it will also continue to look at leasing another car ferry vessel compatible with the shallow harbor at Keystone on Whidbey Island.

So far, none has been found.

Hammond confirmed that the ongoing search for another leased boat means ferry officials are considering a backup plan of abandoning the smaller ferry and proceeding with construction of three larger boats.

Favored by the mayors and others on both sides of the Port Townsend-Keystone landings is the Island Home, a Northwest-designed vessel that can carry up to 80 cars and began service in Massachusetts in 2007.

The Island Home class is more stable and closer in size and design to the 59-car Steel Electric-class ferries that were pulled in November after 80 years of service.

The state currently plans to construct two Island Home-model vessels after a smaller Steilacoom II-style ferry is built.

Hammond said for Island Home-class ferries to be built, another rental boat would be necessary.

The lease with Pierce County for the Steilacoom II runs out in August 2009 -- approximately six months before an Island Home-style vessel would be ready.

A lease renewal with Pierce County is unlikely.

"We are still looking at all of our options," Hammond said.

"But the big issue is retaining service on the route."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA