PORT KINGSTON — The Kingston-to-Seattle passenger-only ferry is back but with a new plan to make the ferry line’s second try work.
When the two ferries are not running weekday-scheduled commuter trips, they will do just about anything for anyone.
That includes charter trips, weddings, tours, loans to other ferry services, sponsored events, Saturday runs or sporting event trips, SoundRunner General Manager Meisha Rouser told about 40 members of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday.
The new ferry service, which began service in May, is also considering a partnership with a bus or tour company or purchasing its own tour buses to take visitors from Seattle to the North Olympic Peninsula for day trips to Olympic National Park, Fort Worden or tribal history centers, Rouser said.
SoundRunner learned lessons from the failed Aqua Express ferry service, which operated for 10 months in 2005, she said.
The start-up ferry service is starting small, with limited runs and financial support from the Port of Kingston.
Both of the SoundRunner ferries are owned free and clear, so the ferry can concentrate on maintaining operations, she said.
Two passenger ferries
SoundRunner Ferry, owned by the Port of Kingston, used a $3.5 million federal grant to purchase two 150-passenger vessels — the catamaran Spirit of Kingston and the Kingston Express, which was formerly the Victoria Express.
The Spirit of Kingston — a 65-foot catamaran built in 2005 at All American Marine in Bellingham — cruises on a hydrofoil between its dual hulls.
The hydrofoil lifts it to improve fuel efficiency.
The Kingston Express is a 93-foot single-hull vessel built in 1981 by Neuville Boat Works in New Iberia, La.
It has a capacity of up to 150 passengers, with a cruising speed of 18 knots and a maximum speed of nearly 25 knots.
The service started with 21 regular commuters but plans to expand its service by 10 additional regular passengers every month.
“Why take a bus to Port Angeles instead of ferrying passengers via a water route?” an audience member asked.
The Kingston ferries don’t have landing rights at Port Angeles, Rouser said.
“What is in it for Port Angeles and Sequim residents?” another audience member asked.
For Port Angeles residents, the new passenger ferries offer a shorter, less crowded drive from Port Angeles to Kingston than to Bainbridge, she said.
Once in Seattle, there are many transportation options.
To attract new passengers, SoundRunner is offering two offbeat but regularly scheduled trips.
The first is a first-Thursday afternoon trip to Seattle, coinciding with free day at the Seattle Art Museum and other cultural attractions, Rouser said.
A third-Friday trip will be added in August in response to customer requests, she said.
Another regularly scheduled event is a Friday Happy Hour trip, which has become an instant hit with Kingston residents.
During its regular Friday run, the ferry picks up guests, then takes them on the commuter round trip with a weekly theme.
Past theme trips have included a family ice-cream social and a fiesta.
“More than 60 members of the community showed up for the first trip,” Rouser said.
Special sporting trips
Special trips for sporting events will also be offered.
The first will take Peninsula passengers to the July 30 Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays game and to the Seattle SeaFaire.
Passengers can board the SoundRunner Ferry near the Washington State Ferry terminal located at the Port of Kingston and from Pier 50 in Seattle.
Pier 50 is within walking distance of the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks stadiums.
For more information on SoundRunner ticketing and schedules, visit www.soundrunnerferry.com or phone 888-550-7203.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.