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Post by whidbeyislandguy on Feb 23, 2010 21:06:48 GMT -8
In 2006 I took a whale watching tour out of Juneau on the Spirit. Its kind of an oddly configured boat, and wasn't very good for whale watching. I don't think it would be much better as a ferry. Four Seasons is out of the whale watching business, and the Spirit hasn't been based in Juneau since 2006. I don't know where they've been using it. I echo this. I've looked at pictures of this vessel today and is one I won't be riding. The front end is poorly designed with the front windows mounted way too high to view through from your Main Deck seats. Very bad for the folks in wheelchairs. This is just like another SKAGIT or KALAMA (the wheelchair folks just could not get access to front window viewing on those two ferries). You have to get up out of the seat and climb some steps to look forward (just watch and see how the wheelchair people try and do this). I won't be endorsing this service. No wheelchair symbol will be placed on this at my end as well. Good luck, "Spirit of Wheelchair Discrimination". WSF has turned the table to the positive for our friends in wheelchairs on the Keystone run. The new CHETZEMOKA has elevators and end windows mounted at the proper level for all to see through. See I also have been on this vessel. I liked it.. and yes Ferrynutseattle you are correct not great for wheelchairs. But form my point of view I am glad. I am sick and tired of everything being so damn low for everyone in wheelchairs. I broke my back 2 years ago and am fully walking about and my biggest thing is everything is LOW! Who care of this isn't great for people in wheel chairs .. Sorry but what those of us that are tall and bending over is the problem?! I mean you want to talk Discrimination? Every thing has been changed for being high to being so low it hurts my back and I know it hurts others backs also having to bend over all the damn time. so, I say High work for me!! ;D ;D ;D
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Neil
Voyager
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Post by Neil on Feb 23, 2010 22:07:31 GMT -8
See I also have been on this vessel. I liked it.. and yes Ferrynutseattle you are correct not great for wheelchairs. But form my point of view I am glad. I am sick and tired of everything being so damn low for everyone in wheelchairs. I broke my back 2 years ago and am fully walking about and my biggest thing is everything is LOW! Who care of this isn't great for people in wheel chairs .. Sorry but what those of us that are tall and bending over is the problem?! I mean you want to talk Discrimination? Every thing has been changed for being high to being so low it hurts my back and I know it hurts others backs also having to bend over all the damn time. so I say High work for me!! You forgot the 'smiley', so that everyone knows that this is just some dark humor...
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Jody
Chief Steward
Ferry Foamer
Posts: 152
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Post by Jody on Feb 24, 2010 19:18:13 GMT -8
I vaguely remember hype when I was younger about creating a network of passenger ferries to move people back and forth across Puget Sound much more rapidly. This, they said, was the wave of the future. Fast forward a few decades and we all know the outcome. Ferries were found to be horrifically expensive to operate, and in most outlying areas transit connections and parking options are woefully inadequate. As we all know, WSF got itself out of the passenger only business about as quickly as it got in.
Given my recent thread about the proposed Kingston to Seattle passenger ferries, and the fact that I live in Bremerton, a town whose foot ferries serve two separate routes across Sinclair Inlet, and that a ferry is presently under construction to run from here to Seattle yet again, I thought I would take a moment and look at the different passenger ferries that are cruising the Sound right now.
I also wanted to just kind of open up a discussion thread on these services, and see what happens. So, in alphabetical order, here's what I found:
Foot Ferries of Washington State
Hat Island Ferry Operated by: Hat Island Community Route(s): -Everett Marina – Hat Island (W, F-Su + Holidays) Boat(s): -Hat Express
Jetty Island Ferry Operated by: City of Everett Route(s): -Everett – Jetty Island (seasonal) Boat(s): -Queen’s Launch (35 passengers, owned by Argosy)
King County Water Taxi Operated by: King County Route(s): -Downtown Seattle – West Seattle (seasonal) -Downtown Seattle – Vashon Island (M-F) Boat(s): -Melissa Ann (150 passengers) -Rachel Marie (150 passengers)
Kingston Foot Ferry (proposed) Operated by: Port of Kingston Route(s): -Kingston – Seattle (frequency not established) Boat(s): -Spirit (146 passengers)
Kitsap Foot Ferry Operated by: Kitsap Transit Route(s): -Bremerton – Port Orchard (M-Sa) -Bremerton – Annapolis (M-F) -Bremerton – Seattle (begins 2011) Boat(s): -Carlisle II (150 passengers) -Admiral Pete (82 passengers) -Admiral Jack (49 passengers) -Unnamed high-speed cat (149 passengers, due April 2010)
McNeil Island Ferry Operated by: Washington Dept. of Corrections Route(s): -Steilacoom – McNeil Island (prison, no public access) Boat(s): -Neil Henley -2 other boats, names I can’t find
Plover Ferry Operated by: Drayton Harbor Maritime Route(s): -Blaine – Semiahmoo Resort (seasonal) Boat(s): -Plover (17 passengers)
Port Townsend Ferry (Proposed) Operated by: Port of Port Townsend Route(s): -Port Townsend – Seattle (daily?) Boat(s): -Funding for acquisition requested
Victoria Express Operated by: Victoria Express Route(s): -Victoria, BC – Friday Harbor (seasonal) -Victoria, BC – Port Angeles (seasonal) Boat(s): -Victoria Express (149 passengers) -Victoria Express II
Victoria Clipper Operated by: Clipper Vacations Route(s): -Seattle – Victoria, BC Boat(s): -Victoria Clipper (293 passengers) -Victoria Clipper III (239 passengers) -Victoria Clipper IV (330 passengers)
Victoria San Juan Ferries Operated by: Victoria San Juan Cruises Route(s): -Bellingham – Victoria, BC (seasonal) -Bellingham – Friday Harbor (seasonal) Boat(s): -Victoria Star II (149 passengers) -Island Commuter II (66 passenger) -Viking Star (49 passenger)
Westport – Ocean Shores Ferry (out of service?) Operated by: Bill Walsh (dba??) Route(s): -Westport – Ocean Shores (seasonal) Boat(s): -El Matador (95 passengers)
Anybody have anything to add to this?
Jody
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Feb 24, 2010 19:57:41 GMT -8
I vaguely remember hype when I was younger about creating a network of passenger ferries to move people back and forth across Puget Sound much more rapidly. This, they said, was the wave of the future. Fast forward a few decades and we all know the outcome. Ferries were found to be horrifically expensive to operate, and in most outlying areas transit connections and parking options are woefully inadequate. As we all know, WSF got itself out of the passenger only business about as quickly as it got in. Given my recent thread about the proposed Kingston to Seattle passenger ferries, and the fact that I live in Bremerton, a town whose foot ferries serve two separate routes across Sinclair Inlet, and that a ferry is presently under construction to run from here to Seattle yet again, I thought I would take a moment and look at the different passenger ferries that are cruising the Sound right now. I also wanted to just kind of open up a discussion thread on these services, and see what happens. So, in alphabetical order, here's what I found: Foot Ferries of Washington StateWestport – Ocean Shores Ferry (out of service?)Operated by: Bill Walsh (dba??) Route(s): -Westport – Ocean Shores (seasonal) Boat(s): -El Matador (95 passengers) Anybody have anything to add to this? Jody The ED'S GIRL served Westport as well. I've taken a ride aboard that one in the early 1980s. Don't know exactly what her passenger count was, though. My family was on a vacation at Ocean Shores and I took a round trip to Westport and back. Back then, the transit system there had old style AMGeneral Metropolitan buses running trips between the dock, our hotel, et al. They looked similar to the 1970s standard Seattle trolleys prior to being replaced by the recent Gilligs. So, there is a bit of past information on Westport's ferry/transit service.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Feb 24, 2010 20:49:20 GMT -8
Back in 1982, WSF was reconstructing the Mukilteo ferry dock to extend it out over deeper waters so the then new Issy boats CATHLAMET and KITTITAS could land there without groundings or low tides causing service cancellations.
With that going on, WSF ran trips to Edmonds from Clinton with the CATHY and KITTY serving. The HYAK paid a visit to the detour one weekend. This was then when the south enders said good bye to the ILLAHEE and NISQUALLY as the CATHY and KITTY have officially taken over the Clinton services.
WSF hired a passenger-only ferry to run between Clinton and Mukilteo. If my memory hasn't deteriorated, I believed that the ED'S GIRL was used. Still sporting her wider radius east coast bows, WSF built a makeshift dock at one end of the OLYMPIC and replaced a crew's plank with a safer public one at one of the two tie-up slips at Clinton. I think that the foot passengers were able to use the OLYMPIC's cabin as a waiting room. The KULSHAN occupied the other tie-up slip and was in storage and never used on the detour (it would be later on that year that she did her final trips for WSF on the Tahlequah run before moving on to New York and Woods Hole).
After about a month or two, the upgraded Mukilteo dock was ready for steady use by the CATHY and KITTY, which continues today.
So, add Mukilteo-Clinton in the rare list as a foot ferry run when the Mukilteo auto dock is closed for repairs.
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 25, 2010 20:28:14 GMT -8
As we all know, WSF got itself out of the passenger only business about as quickly as it got in. True enough, but not in the context most people would use that--WSF PO service got underway about 1986 with a used boat freshly renamed EXPRESS (eventually renamed TYEE), ran until money dried up in 1988 or early 1989. Meanwhile, two new PO boats (SKAGIT and KALAMA) were built and put into mothballs without ever being used, a la Pacificat. All three were loaned to SFO after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, and finally came home to re-enter service in April of 1990. Then it kind of bumped along until the ultra-fast boats arrived in 1998-9, and from there PO service gradually eroded until PO service on the Bremerton run was discontinued in Sept 2003 (costing me a chief mate's job). Vashon service kept shrinking bit by bit until WSF got out of it last fall. So, yes, WSF got out as quickly as it got in... ramped up very slowly, then petered out 25 years later with a whimper. I have vague recollections of a foot ferry named "Lulu Belle" used in various capacities around the Sound as well.
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Jody
Chief Steward
Ferry Foamer
Posts: 152
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Post by Jody on Feb 26, 2010 7:10:57 GMT -8
Did a quick search on google, and came up with the following: www.lulubelletours.com/ourstory.asp Looks like this boat has been accounted for during its careeer, mostly in Alaska except for a season sport fishing out of Westport in 1979. But, the company history seems to indicate that there might be other older Lulu Belle's running around as well. Wonder if your recollection has anything to do with this company? J
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 27, 2010 9:32:34 GMT -8
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 27, 2010 14:03:51 GMT -8
$300,000 each for the boats, and $60,000 for the maintenance barge. Wonder if they'll get it?
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Jody
Chief Steward
Ferry Foamer
Posts: 152
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Post by Jody on Feb 28, 2010 10:33:00 GMT -8
Figured I'd toss a few Foot Ferry Fotos up on this thread just for giggles. Might not be the 100% right place for them, so if I am putting them in the wrong place, my apologies to the powers that be. My first set is of Kitsap Foot Ferry service, since that's where I live. We'll begin with a pic of the 1917 vintage Carlisle II, which is one of the most visible faces of the Kitsap system. She's got a ton of character, and a lot of life left in her thanks to a recent upgrade and overhaul. She's also got longevity that other ferries only dream about - the Carlisle II has been plying the waters of Sinclair Inlet between Bremerton and Port Orchard since 1934. Interestingly, back in the 1920's the CII was rebuilt as a tug boat with space for some cars, and worked between Gooseberry Point in Bellingham and Lummi and Orcas Islands. This according in an article in the Seattle PI in 2007. In this photo, though, we see her in holiday garb in Bremerton as Christmas 2009 approaches. The Admiral Pete is the workhorse of the Kitsap Foot Ferry system. During peak hours when the Bremerton-Annapolis route is running, the Admiral Pete does the duties. And in off-peak times, she's relieves the Carlisle II and handles the Bremerton-Port Orchard route. Here, she's seen approaching Port Orchard on a mid-day run from Bremerton, with the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk at PSNS dominating the skyline behind her. The tiny little General Chesty is the fourth boat in the Kitsap Foot Ferry's fleet, and would probably be best described as a second backup. I've never once seen her working the KFF routes, and she probably sees more action during the summers for Kitsap Harbor Tours. Still, she's seen here at the KFF terminal in Port Orchard, making the Carlisle II look giant in comparison. Enjoy! I don't have terribly many foot ferry photos to share, but I will get more up as time allows. In the mean time, I'm looking forward to seeing what you guys all have to share. Thanks for looking! Jody
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Post by SS San Mateo on Mar 11, 2010 12:51:17 GMT -8
No bids for either boat. Not sure if the barge got any bids.
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Post by EGfleet on Mar 11, 2010 14:01:51 GMT -8
No bids for either boat. Not sure if the barge got any bids. It did! For $110K I think is what it went for.
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chief
Chief Steward
Posts: 117
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Post by chief on Mar 11, 2010 15:15:44 GMT -8
That would be a pretty good deal, the state only paid 60K for it when surplused through the GSA.
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Post by Barnacle on Mar 11, 2010 16:14:49 GMT -8
$121,xxx for the barge. The tuna boats got bupkus.
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Post by zargoman on Mar 17, 2010 16:06:25 GMT -8
Kitsap Transit's Carlisle II departing Bremerton Kitsap Harbor Tours/Kitsap Transit Foot Ferry-Admiral Pete en route to Annapolis from Bremerton Admiral Jack and Admiral Pete at the Port Orchard Ferry dock Here is a boat that used to be owned by Horluck Transportation, which used to be the operator of what is now the Kitsap Transit Foot Ferry. When the Carlisle II is out for maintenance or repairs, the Spirit of 76 is brought in from Seattle for the Port Orchard/Bremerton route. This one has alot going on. The Admiral Pete is waiting to depart for Port Orchard, the Walla Walla is arrving Bremerton and the John C Stennis is just arriving Bremerton, which delayed the Walla Walla, making this photo possible. Here is the General Chesty, which is used in conjunction with the Admiral Jack for Annapolis service when the Admiral Pete is out of service This is the Rachel Marie before she left for Hawaii. She was used for the Kitsap Ferry Company, a short lived passenger ferry between Bremerton and Seattle. The boat was built in the 70's by Nichols Bros and went to work in the Marshal Islands. She came back to Puget Sound in 2004 and was running the Bremerton/Seattle ferry. After that, she went to Hawaii in 2007 for 2 years for a trial ferry service. She is once again back in Seattle, operating for the King County Water Taxi. She starts regualar service next month on the Downtown/West Seattle route. She is owned by Four Seasons Marine Services. Here is the Melissa Ann, sister to the Rachel Marie and has pretty much the same history, except she was brought to Seattle directly from Hawaii. She is the main boat for the Downtown/Vashon Route of the King County Water Taxi. This one is the Cat Express. She has been here several times in the past, when the USS Abraham Lincoln is in Bremerton for maintenacne or repairs. She is leased by the Navy for service between Bremerton and Everett. The Navy usually has three boats for the service. The Cat Express, Victoria Clipper III and the Spirit of Adventure. This one would be the Spirit of Adventure, mentioned above Up until last year, Argosy Cruises had the contract to operate the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, now the King County Water Taxi-West Seattle Route. The Sightseer is the boat that operated the service.
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Post by Barnacle on Mar 17, 2010 16:20:33 GMT -8
Any further updates? Is the Chinook still at Eagle Harbor? I was there in January and I think she was still present then...
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Post by zargoman on Mar 17, 2010 16:25:34 GMT -8
She was still there when I took the Bainbridge boat on Feb 13. I'm slightly confused as to why she hasnt left
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Post by zargoman on Mar 17, 2010 16:26:51 GMT -8
Does anybody know about the big hole in the bow of the Kalama in the photos on ebay? It looks like something was ripped out of there.
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Post by zargoman on Mar 17, 2010 17:34:45 GMT -8
I love the Carlisle II. I usually take the Admiral Pete because she takes over (usually) with the 8:30am from Port Orchard. I'm either on the 7:00am from Annapolis (Admiral Pete) or the 8:30am from Port Orchard (Admiral Pete). Going home, it's usually the 18:45 from Bremerton which is (again) the Admiral Pete. Jody, the General Chesty is also with Kitsap Transit. I think she has a capacity of 27 pax. The Queen's Launch (Jetty Island Ferry) can hold up to 80 (only for the Jetty Island Ferry, otherwise that is WAY too crowded...I'l post som pics within the next couple days). 35 is the "comfortable" number. During home Husky football games, the Queens Launch is usually used for the Argosy Lakes Seattle cruise and will get up to 50 or so if it's sunny. 35 can fit inside if it's not too nice outside. For Mcneil Island, the Neil Henly (ex Argosy Cruises-Goodtime) can hold up to 445 pax, although it starts to get cramped around 200 pax. The other boats for Mcneil Island are: WL Callahan-337 pax and McNeil-305 pax
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 17, 2010 17:53:37 GMT -8
Any further updates? Is the Chinook still at Eagle Harbor? I was there in January and I think she was still present then... Not only is Chinook still at Eagle Harbor, they moved her up front so she is now docked next to Hiyu, making her really easy to spot.
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Post by Barnacle on Mar 18, 2010 5:41:56 GMT -8
Interesting. That may be a sign that something is about to happen.
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Post by zargoman on Mar 22, 2010 12:47:06 GMT -8
Per the Kitsap Sun, Kingston is purchasing the Victoria Express as a second/backup boat. It will do it's summer season, then be passed on to Kingston.
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Post by zargoman on Mar 22, 2010 12:48:12 GMT -8
Queens Launch-Jetty Island Ferry during the summer Her COI is for up to 80 pax
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 29, 2010 9:21:36 GMT -8
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Post by EGfleet on Apr 8, 2010 8:38:41 GMT -8
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