Ferry move due to inability to land

Published 12:01 am Thursday, October 13, 2011

Regarding the Oct. 10 article, “Chetzemoka to move south“: Our state officials said the move is a “practical one.” “To make for a smoother transition for the captain and first mates, when two boats (the Salish and the Kennewic

k) are running.”

The real reason behind the Chetzemoka being moved off this run has nothing to do with a smoother transition. This boat was built with a flaw: The captain can’t control or steer the boat as it lands at Keystone (now called Coupeville) terminal on Whidbey Island. That’s already been proven; it hit the beach once already. The boat was built unsafe to operate at Keystone, and that’s why it’s being moved.

Why did Washington State Ferries build a new boat using a type of propeller that couldn’t land at Keystone? This is just another example of the people who are making poor decisions that are costing millions of dollars. The Chetzemoka was to be a “custom built boat,” for the people of Whidbey and Port Townsend. And they ended up with a boat called Kennewick.

Why did WSF build this boat, knowing the design of the propellers and Keystone wouldn’t work, and still assign it to this run? Ask the state ferry chief this question. He can’t give us an answer.

Happy landings.

Bruce A. Ferguson
Snohomish