Ferry captain has plan for Camano-Whidbey run

For George Bacon, it would be nice if everyone would get on the same page sooner rather than later about his idea to ferry passengers between Whidbey and Camano islands.

Bacon is 93 and has already devoted years of his life to the plan.

He’s got the barge ferry. He’s got the schedules and insurance information. He’s figured out the fares, the staffing needs and every detail down to whether or not a bathroom will be available on the run between High Street on Camano Island and Race Road on Whidbey Island.

He carries paperwork about his plan in a neat briefcase. His firm handshake felt like an Ace bandage wrapped too tight.

Bacon has the resume to back the proposal. He operated ferries on the Columbia River, on Lake Chelan, from Everett to Hat Island, and in the San Juans.

The best part of Bacon’s local plan is that proceeds from the water operation across Saratoga Passage would feed needy senior citizens in Oak Harbor. And he figured it would save Island County $600 a day in employee travel expenses.

Island County covers both islands with its county seat in Coupeville on Whidbey Island and county offices on Camano. To drive from Camano to conduct business in Coupeville is a 126-mile round-trip drive.

Bill Byrd, Island County Commissioner from District Three, said it’s wonderful that Bacon is active and still contributing to society.

He is a delightful gentleman, Byrd said. Unfortunately for Bacon, who lives in Lake Stevens, Island County might have another travel plan up its sleeve.

“County employees do travel back and forth to Camano, and it would be cost effective and more efficient if we could get folks to their work site in a timely manner,” Byrd said. “We have a tentative agreement with the Camano Yacht Club to use their docking facility, but in all probability, will not begin operations until springtime.”

A carrier must be selected, Byrd said, and schedules will need to be generated. In all, there is still a lot of work to do before folks can ride a boat from Coupeville to Camano. He added they did investigate Bacon’s plan to some extent.

Shuttling employees, or tourists, could be solved with Island Ferry Company, Bacon said. He knows where to get the tug. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Inc. on Whidbey Island could sell a barge for about a quarter million dollars.

“I can get a $42,000 tug in Alaska,” the Edmonds High School graduate said. “The fare would be $5 for a car and passenger.”

Concrete ramps would cost $6,000 to build. The service would create 10 new jobs from licensed captains to deck hands. The barge and tug would operate 16 hours a day, seven days a week. Each crossing would take 15 minutes, Bacon said.

He understood neighbors near potential landing ramps had concerns with traffic, but he also has hundreds of documents from supporters who favor the idea. A side benefit would be that rescue boats could launch from the concrete ramps.

Commissioner Byrd said Bacon held a ferry franchise at one time, but it expired.

“The Department of Transportation indicated that they would work with Mr. Bacon should he choose to request one again,” Byrd said. “That has not been sought as far I know, nor has he made application or obtained permits from Island County.”

If he acquired official approvals, Bacon said he could be up and running in three months.

He knows about scheduling. The planner, who never smoked or drank and only swore under his breath, said he worked a milk route and owned Edmonds Auto Freight and Edmonds Tavern.

“My plan will save 126 miles of time and gas for each trip,” he said. “This service will also create 10 new jobs.”

Bacon said he’s been wanting to begin his ferry service for years. He has the finances, expertise and ability to serve Island County. But the clock is ticking for this 93 year old entrepreneur who would like to get his tug in place.

But time and tide wait for no man. Time, not tides, needs to work in George Bacon’s favor.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.