Post by Political Incorrectness on Jun 8, 2013 13:10:19 GMT -8
This last Thursday, Steve Rosenow and I attended the Ferry Advisory Committee Meeting in which David Moseley, Assistant Secretary for the Ferries Division was present and ran most of the meetings.
-The legislature is considering funding a 3rd Olympic Class vessel in the next package. This would permit one of the vessels to be stationed full-time on Seattle-Bremerton. Without it, there would be some off-season visits if not placement but the Kitsap at this time is permanently assigned.
-What has passed so far is funding for the Mukilteo Terminal and to complete the Colman Dock replacement of the northern end.
-Some discussion involved how ridership has moved from the commuter group to more of the tourism group. One member stated that he has tried for 3 years to improve a page of the WSF website for giving people stuff to do in Bremerton. He actually took someone from the Information Desk at Colman Dock and they were pleased to see what the City had to offer. Mr. Moseley offered him to contact him about his idea and I think it will be needed and could improve the ridership.
-When it comes to LNG, there was confusion on whether the Hyak hybrid proposal was going to be LNG. The Hyak would have batteries to charge during the crossing and then those would be utilized in dock rather than running the diesel propulsion units. They are currently seeking more information on LNG for the Issaquahs and it is looking a bit more promising as other systems in the world currently run on LNG. LNG currently is 50% cheaper than marine diesel and with a major company in Seattle considering an LNG conversion, it would become quite feasable. Four companies did offer proposals without solicitation from WSF to provide LNG fueling from as far away as Wyoming.
-When it came to regulations with building in state, apparently Alaska does permit out-of-state bidders after in-state bidders have had a chance and they do not meet the budget.
-There was a question about passenger only ferries, the state as we all have known officially bowed out of the business and has allowed the local transit authorities take that over.
-There was discussion over fares increases, my personal opinion is they are in control but need to be cautious in order not to have revenue declines. www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/CommuterUpdates/pub_meetings Handouts that were presented at the meetings are available at the web address to my left.
-Colman Dock's Slip 2 will not be replaced as it is currently a back-up slip. I am thinking they might want to consider trying to generate revenue from leasing space at the dock once the waterfront revitalization is complete.
-The legislature is considering funding a 3rd Olympic Class vessel in the next package. This would permit one of the vessels to be stationed full-time on Seattle-Bremerton. Without it, there would be some off-season visits if not placement but the Kitsap at this time is permanently assigned.
-What has passed so far is funding for the Mukilteo Terminal and to complete the Colman Dock replacement of the northern end.
-Some discussion involved how ridership has moved from the commuter group to more of the tourism group. One member stated that he has tried for 3 years to improve a page of the WSF website for giving people stuff to do in Bremerton. He actually took someone from the Information Desk at Colman Dock and they were pleased to see what the City had to offer. Mr. Moseley offered him to contact him about his idea and I think it will be needed and could improve the ridership.
-When it comes to LNG, there was confusion on whether the Hyak hybrid proposal was going to be LNG. The Hyak would have batteries to charge during the crossing and then those would be utilized in dock rather than running the diesel propulsion units. They are currently seeking more information on LNG for the Issaquahs and it is looking a bit more promising as other systems in the world currently run on LNG. LNG currently is 50% cheaper than marine diesel and with a major company in Seattle considering an LNG conversion, it would become quite feasable. Four companies did offer proposals without solicitation from WSF to provide LNG fueling from as far away as Wyoming.
-When it came to regulations with building in state, apparently Alaska does permit out-of-state bidders after in-state bidders have had a chance and they do not meet the budget.
-There was a question about passenger only ferries, the state as we all have known officially bowed out of the business and has allowed the local transit authorities take that over.
-There was discussion over fares increases, my personal opinion is they are in control but need to be cautious in order not to have revenue declines. www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/CommuterUpdates/pub_meetings Handouts that were presented at the meetings are available at the web address to my left.
-Colman Dock's Slip 2 will not be replaced as it is currently a back-up slip. I am thinking they might want to consider trying to generate revenue from leasing space at the dock once the waterfront revitalization is complete.