Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 4, 2007 20:37:28 GMT -8
Here is a news article that may be of interest. 
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003818990_guestedit03.html
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Low-wake study and planned ferry are world-class
Two years from now, Kitsap residents may be riding between Bremerton and Seattle on the lowest-wake passenger ferry in the world — and at crossing times about twice as fast as they're now getting on Washington State Ferries.
Testing of the vessel, which has not yet been built, would be the final stage of the "Rich Passage Passenger Only Fast Ferry Study." The five-and-a-half-year study is being conducted with mostly federal money by Kitsap Transit and other entities. The bottom line is fast, passenger-only ferry service between Seattle and Kitsap ports. To achieve that, two things are needed: ferries and money. Both areas have been problematic in previous foot-ferry endeavors.
Washington State Ferries ran foot-ferries between Bremerton and Seattle for several years. But eventually, wake damage to shorelines, lawsuits, slowed crossing times and high costs led the state to abandon the route.
After the state dropped its Bremerton-Seattle run, a private operator launched its own service on that route; another firm also ran a Kingston-to-Seattle passenger-only ferry. Eventually, both private operations were dropped due to financial problems.
From their experiences, it seems clear that to ensure a passenger-only ferry service's success here, some form of subsidy and public-private partnership is needed.
There's little doubt that fast, passenger-only ferries can play a significant role in building Kitsap's future. Because Kitsap County's population is projected to rise faster than its employment, Washington State Ferries predicts overall passenger ferry ridership will grow by 70 percent by 2030 — with the greatest increases in foot passengers rather than drivers.
That adds up to small, fast foot-ferries, transporting passengers more quickly and with less environmental impact than larger ferries carrying vehicles.
But needed to provide that service between Bremerton and Seattle is a boat that doesn't exist — one that can make fuel-efficient crossings in 30 minutes or less without seriously damaging Rich Passage's shorelines.
In early 2009, Kitsap residents may be using that boat.
The foil-assisted catamaran, built with $3.5 million to $4 million in federal funds, would be designed specifically to meet Rich Passage's low-wake requirements, using research gathered during the years-long study. The ultra-low-wake craft would be leased or purchased by Kitsap Transit and operated by a private contractor during a six- to eight-month trial period.
That would take care of the boat. To provide the money, Kitsap Transit may create a passenger-only service district — or districts — within part of Kitsap County and hold an election seeking voter support for passenger-only ferry operating funds.
— Kitsap Sun, July 21
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
====================
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003818990_guestedit03.html
======================
Low-wake study and planned ferry are world-class
Two years from now, Kitsap residents may be riding between Bremerton and Seattle on the lowest-wake passenger ferry in the world — and at crossing times about twice as fast as they're now getting on Washington State Ferries.
Testing of the vessel, which has not yet been built, would be the final stage of the "Rich Passage Passenger Only Fast Ferry Study." The five-and-a-half-year study is being conducted with mostly federal money by Kitsap Transit and other entities. The bottom line is fast, passenger-only ferry service between Seattle and Kitsap ports. To achieve that, two things are needed: ferries and money. Both areas have been problematic in previous foot-ferry endeavors.
Washington State Ferries ran foot-ferries between Bremerton and Seattle for several years. But eventually, wake damage to shorelines, lawsuits, slowed crossing times and high costs led the state to abandon the route.
After the state dropped its Bremerton-Seattle run, a private operator launched its own service on that route; another firm also ran a Kingston-to-Seattle passenger-only ferry. Eventually, both private operations were dropped due to financial problems.
From their experiences, it seems clear that to ensure a passenger-only ferry service's success here, some form of subsidy and public-private partnership is needed.
There's little doubt that fast, passenger-only ferries can play a significant role in building Kitsap's future. Because Kitsap County's population is projected to rise faster than its employment, Washington State Ferries predicts overall passenger ferry ridership will grow by 70 percent by 2030 — with the greatest increases in foot passengers rather than drivers.
That adds up to small, fast foot-ferries, transporting passengers more quickly and with less environmental impact than larger ferries carrying vehicles.
But needed to provide that service between Bremerton and Seattle is a boat that doesn't exist — one that can make fuel-efficient crossings in 30 minutes or less without seriously damaging Rich Passage's shorelines.
In early 2009, Kitsap residents may be using that boat.
The foil-assisted catamaran, built with $3.5 million to $4 million in federal funds, would be designed specifically to meet Rich Passage's low-wake requirements, using research gathered during the years-long study. The ultra-low-wake craft would be leased or purchased by Kitsap Transit and operated by a private contractor during a six- to eight-month trial period.
That would take care of the boat. To provide the money, Kitsap Transit may create a passenger-only service district — or districts — within part of Kitsap County and hold an election seeking voter support for passenger-only ferry operating funds.
— Kitsap Sun, July 21
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
====================
