ABOARD THE MV CHETZEMOKA — The maiden voyage of Washington’s newest state ferry was not on a warm summer day as first planned.
But Sunday’s mist and drizzle during the MV Chetzemoka’s christening and inauguration failed to rain on this particular parade across Admiralty Inlet.
“Today marks a new generation of Washington ferries,” proclaimed Gov. Chris Gregoire during the ceremony on the sprawling 64-car capacity deck.
“It’s a link taking people to work and back, uniting families, bringing in tourists and keeping Washington moving.”
In a ceremony delayed from an originally planned inaugural last Aug. 29, Gregoire and a series of supporters and dignitaries addressed an assembled crowd of about 400 amid an echo and blustery wind.
The inaugural guests of the re-linked communities of Port Townsend and Coupeville joined lawmakers, ferry personnel and representatives of everyone who participated in building the first state ferry in 11 years.
One of the state lawmakers aboard, Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island and chair of the House Transportation Committee, credited “a bipartisan effort” in building the $79.4 million boat — up from an original contract cost of $65.5 million — and called the Chetzemoka “the first step in the rebuilding of the entire fleet.”
U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, offered thanks to two specific groups: The U.S. Coast Guard which provided safety tests as well as escorts across the inaugural voyage Sunday, and the taxpayers of Washington “who invested in this boat and recognize the value of what it means.”
Inslee predicted that “Chetzemoka” — the name of the 19th century Klallam chief who befriended early Quimper Peninsula settlers — will become the championship question in future spelling bee contests.
“This ferry boat has the longest bridge of any ferry in the United States,” Inslee said of the control room that spans the 64-foot width of the vessel.
“Ferries are bridges, and this ferry is as important as any other bridge in the state.”
Inslee introduced Gregoire, calling her “the great leader that made this happen” while crediting her ability to break the champagne bottle used in the christening in a single whack.
“To not break it is really bad luck,” Gregoire said.
“But if you really break it, it’s really good luck.”
Gregoire made special mention of the fourth-graders of Port Townsend’s Blue Heron Middle School who won the contest to name the new class of ferries as “Kwa-di Tabil (Quileute for “little boat”).
“As the Chetzemoka reminds us, when we come together we accomplish great things,” Gregoire said.
“May everyone who travels aboard this ship arrive safely and successfully, just as we have.”
After landing in Port Townsend, Assistant Transportation Secretary David Moseley, who oversees the ferries division, stood in the middle of the car deck as spectators buzzed around him, just enjoying the moment.
This followed speeches supporting the state ferry system and underscoring the importance of the ferries as part of the state highway system.
There was also a tribal ceremony by members of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe of Blyn.
Moseley said “there will need to be some tough decisions” with regard to ferry funding, which was seconded by his boss, Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.
“We’ve been juggling money for 10 years,” Hammond said.
“We can’t sustain this level of service without additional funding.”
Funding, they noted, is the purview of the governor and the Legislature.
Gregoire wasn’t making any promises, but Senate Transportation Committee Chair Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, said the Chetzemoka’s sister ferry now under construction, MV Salish, will arrive as planned.
“The people of Port Townsend were promised two boats, they were expecting two boats and we are going to make sure they get two boats,” Haugen said.
“We as legislators can send a message and there is no question here.”
Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval, who called the sailing “a great day,” said she expected that people will visit Port Townsend just to see the Chetzemoka.
“It will be a novelty for a while,” she said.
“But after awhile, it will become what it’s meant to be — a bridge between Port Townsend and Coupeville, part of the marine highway.
“We should be very thankful that we now have a seaworthy, consistent vessel on this route.”
The Chetzemoka replaces two of four Steel Electric class ferries that were mothballed in 1997 because of hull corrosion and failures.
Those ferries were built during the Calvin Coolidge presidential administration and have since been sold for scrap and dismantled in Mexico.
Sandoval also lauded the Chetzemoka’s new design, which contains a separate mezzanine for bicycles and ramps for easy access.
The Chetzemoka is an across-the-board improvement to the Steilacoom II, the smaller vessel it replaced.
Aside from an increase in capacity, it has a comfortable, open design.
On the port side there are two levels of narrow passenger lounges with small tables and large windows.
There are larger passenger areas on either end of the ferry, as well as small compartments where all passengers can be protected in an emergency.
Capt. Mark Haupt, who has piloted all the boats on the route for the past 20 years, said the Chetzemoka has superior handling and maneuverability, and he “is eager to see what she can do” in ideal weather and wind conditions.
Sunday’s christening ceremony took place in Keystone Harbor on Whidbey Island, and the maiden voyage featured free food and entertainment.
Everyone attending got a “goody bag” with a commemorative lapel pin, souvenir pen and a jump drive with information about the boat,
These items as well as the cost of the trip was assumed by 10 sponsors ,and no taxpayer money was spent on the festivities, according to Washington State Ferries spokesperson Joy Goldenberg.
Once the boat landed in Port Townsend, community members were allowed to inspect the Chetzemoka in an open-house format, the only time they would be able to come on board without paying for passage.
Then at 3 p.m., an estimated 1,000 people gathered in front of the ferry to pose for the annual Port Townsend Community Portrait.
Photographer David Conklin got the right shot after a few tries.
He asked everyone to say, “Cheese-a-moka.”
The portrait, on a poster, will be available for $10 today at the Printery/Star Copy, 631 Tyler St.
Printery owner Mike Kenna said the photography went smoothly, aside from the necessity to draw the line at a certain time.
“Since this is Port Townsend, everyone was late,” he said.
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
