Harpist can return to ferry for a $200 fee

Published 10:40 pm Friday, September 7, 2007

PORT TOWNSEND — A harp player who was forced off the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry route because of security regulations says the ferry system has told him he can return by paying $200 a day.

But Celtic harpist David Michael would not be able to sell his CDs.

Michael says he can’t afford the fee, so he’s looking for new venues after 17 years of performing for passengers.

The ferry system says he was using public transportation for self-promotion. Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Marta Coursey says it tried to reach an agreement without having to treat Michael as a vendor.

The music stopped last month when he drew complaints from other passengers who said they had to take their items off the vessel after a run when Michael did not. That would have meant the 55-year-old with back trouble would have repeatedly had to move his 30-pound harp.

The news story brought Michael some publicity and he was invited to play at the Puyallup Fair.