State weighing options on ferries, officials tell mayors in Port Townsend meeting
NATURE'S WILD RIDE: Jim Halberg of Port Angeles guides his windsurfing board across Port Angeles Harbor back to the shore of Ediz Hook late Monday afternoon. He was windsurfing with his brother, Sean, and both estimated they reached speeds of 35 mph in the high winds that swept across the North Olympic Peninsula on Monday. More unsettled weather is forecast for today (click on "Weather" at left for the latest AccuWeather forecast for your town). -- Photo by Chris Tucker/Peninsula Daily News _________________________________________
By Erik Hidle, Peninsula Daily News
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The leased 50-car, 300-passenger ferry servicing the route missed two scheduled crossings Monday and ran behind schedule by 65 minutes at one point.
Washington State Ferries blamed heavy swells for the problems.
Meanwhile at City Hall, Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conyers met with state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond and ferries chief David Moseley in the mayors' hope 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.
But Washington State Ferries is also reassessing its plans 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, that task has been unsuccessful, the city officials were told.
Result of Gregoire visit
Last Thursday, when Governor Chris Gregoire took a re-election campaign walking tour of downtown businesses in Port Townsend, merchants asked her several questions about the ailing ferry system — made worse for them when older 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," said Hammond on Monday.
"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 as of now, the plan remains the same as it has been in previous weeks.
State ferries is currently working on revising its 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 dock at Keystone on Whidbey Island.
So far, none has been found.
Backup plan?
Hammond confirmed that the ongoing search for another leased boat means state ferries is 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, 64-car vessel that began service in Massachusetts in 2007.
The Island Home class is more stable and closer in size and design to the 59-car, 625-passenger Steel-Electric-class ferries that were mothballed in November after 80 years of service.
Currently, the state 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 current 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."
Clarifying procedure
Moseley said the Monday meeting was aimed to let the affected communities know that Washington State Ferries is committed to them.
"This meeting helped clarify with everyone what we are doing," Moseley said.
"We are looking at many options beyond just rebidding."
Port Townsend Deputy Mayor George Randels, who attended Monday's closed-door meeting, said he was happy to hear that state ferries is leaving its options open.
"I am very pleased they came with that message," Randels said.
"We got to hear and discuss what the governor heard on her visit. Now they know what our concerns are [in Port Townsend]."
Also in the meeting was City Planner Rick Sepler, who has been analyzing the effects of reduced ferry service on Port Townsend businesses and the city's economy.
"I have a high confidence they are doing the right thing, they are being exhaustive and they are going through all their options," Sepler said.
"It was apparent very quickly in the meeting that Ferries are looking at a number of solutions to the problem, and we won't be locked in to just one path."
Sepler asked the state to "include their homework" along with any public information they released so he and city staff could look at the research the state was conducting.
"We want to make sure we are all on the same page," he said.
Also at Monday's meeting was state Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, Port Townsend City Manager David Timmons, a representative from Gregoire's office and Department of Transportation staff.
Listening by speaker phone was state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Oak Harbor.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: April 14. 2008 9:00PM