The long-awaited journey of the historical 1935 ferry Kalakala from its Lake Union moorage in Seattle to Neah Bay could begin in a few days.
“It might be this weekend,” said Cherie Kidd, Kalakala Alliance Foundation director on Wednesday. “It depends upon the weather.”
Kalakala owner Steve Rodrigues, a Tumwater businessman, said Monday the state Department of Natural Resources was delaying the vessel’s departure, originally scheduled for last weekend.
He said the issues were almost $20,000 in past due payments for the Lake Union moorage and permission to use the Natural Resources tidelands to moor the vessel at Neah Bay.
Kidd said Wednesday evening that Rodrigues has received a letter from Natural Resources allowing the ferry to depart from Lake Union.
Natural Resources Aquatic Lands Steward Fran McNair said Wednesday evening that Rodrigues will sublease state tidelands at Neah Bay from the Makah tribe, which leases them from Natural Resources.
Rodrigues plans to moor the Kalakala at Neah Bay at least through Makah Days in August.