PORT ANGELES — To celebrate Victoria Express’ 20th anniversary, owner Jack Harmon thought about a lot of ways to mark the occasion — a contest, prizes or even a party.
He ultimately settled on slashing fares to $20 for a round-trip ticket.
In past years, tickets have run about $12.50 each way, making a round trip $25, said spokesman Charlie Comstock.
“We thought this was a way for everyone to join in and really participate in our celebration,” Comstock said.
So for the entire season, those ferrying back and forth between Victoria and Port Angeles can enjoy the reduced rate.
The season for Victoria Express kicks off today with a 12:15 p.m. sailing.
Harmon and his wife Terri run the business as a Port Angeles-based, family business, he said.
And he’s always looking for something to improve.
Two years ago that meant refitting the Victoria Express II with a biodiesel engine that improved emissions by about 300 percent, he said.
“Originally we thought we would run it for a year or two and see how it went, but right out of the gate it was obvious that it was so much more efficient we went ahead and did the Victoria Express as well,” he said.
Because of the new, greener engine, the Port of Kingston expressed interest in buying the boat for its Seattle to Kingston route and after the summer season it will take possession of it.
The port paid $650,000 for the boat, which has the same exact engine as the second one for the route — which cost them upwards of $3 million, Harmon said.
But although he is selling his original boat, Harmon said it is nowhere close to the end of his relationship with Port Angeles, adding he still has the Victoria Express II.
“I have a lot of plans that I’m working on right now,” he said, adding he wasn’t quite ready to elaborate.
Comstock said the company will continue to use the ship throughout the 2010 summer season.
Harmon said that the plans “dovetail perfectly with what the city has planned for its [Waterfront Promenade]” and that there are “several great business opportunities.”
His wife, Terri, added that “big things are coming.”
But for now the couple is focusing on celebrating the company they built 20 years ago.
The couple started with the original Victoria Express in 1990, offering four round-trips daily to Victoria.
In 2004, they added the 125-foot Victoria Express II.
The company played a large part in providing foot passenger service for travelers when the Hood Canal Bridge was undergoing reconstruction in 2009.
In addition to the regularly scheduled route, during the off season the company also offers private chargers for businesses, weddings, festivals photography groups and others.
“We are excited about what the next 20 years has in store for our company,” Harmon said.
“We plan on continuing our service from Port Angles and are continuing to explore new and exciting ventures for our maritime transportation companies.”
For more information visit www.victoriaexpress.com or phone 360-452-8088.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
