PORT TOWNSEND — District 24 legislators will join forces with Whidbey Island and Mercer Island representatives in attempts to get a second boat on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route.
Reassignment of the MV Salish — which had been promised to be added as a second state ferry on the route across Admiralty Inlet in the spring — to the San Juan Islands was suggested both as a possibility by Washington State Ferries and in the proposed budget submitted by Gov. Chris Gregoire on Tuesday.
It will be among the potential cost savings the state Legislature will consider after it convenes Jan. 10 as it grapples with a $4.6 billion deficit over the next two years.
Potential cost savings
All three representatives of the 24th District, which covers Jefferson and Clallam counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County, said that ensuring the route has two boats is a priority for them.
“Tourism is a big, big business, and keeping that ferry is a big part of keeping Port Townsend and the rest of the Olympic Peninsula on the tourist maps,” said Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim.
“We will have to take a close look at the ferry plan and see if we can make something else work,” he said.
Both Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, and Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, who serve as respective chairs of their chambers’ transportation committees, have spoken out against relocating the Salish, which is under construction and which was originally planned as a sister ship to the MV Chetzemoka, which began plying the route in November.
Support essential
“In any issue, it’s essential to have the support of the committee chair,” said Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, of the 24th District.
“In this case, we have Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, who is a powerful ally.”
Legislator-elect Steve Tharinger, a Democrat from Sequim, agreed.
“Having Sen. Haugen’s support in this makes our job in keeping the boats a little easier,” Tharinger said.
Said Van De Wege: “I think folks in Jefferson County and Port Townsend have waited a long time since they lost the two ferries, and they deserve to have two ferries.”
The Steel Electric ferries working the route were taken off it three years ago. The route has had one-boat service since.
Not putting the Salish on Port Townsend-Coupeville route is part of a series of vessel reassignments that result in the de-crewing of a 144-car Super Class Vessel, representing a savings of $10.4 million per year, according to Washington State Ferries Deputy Chief Jean Baker.
“The voters gave us a clear message that we ought to cut taxes,” Hargrove said.
“But having the two vessels on the Port Townsend-Coupeville run is essential to tourism in the area.”
“There will be cuts to the ferry system this year,” Tharinger said.
“But we will do what we can to keep the Salish.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.