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Post by BreannaF on May 17, 2009 5:03:00 GMT -8
Link to a blog post from a guy in the San Francisco Area. He is describing their new ferry, the Napa, formerly our Snohomish. It looks like they went ahead and put it into service right away.... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 May 2009
All Hail the Napa
Posted by Josh Tretakoff in ferry
The Golden Gate Ferry has finally taken a new boat. The Napa, formerly Seattle's Snohomish, arrived in port this week from it's North Pacific journey. The great story about this is that the boats were purchased for $2 million a piece...after failing to sell on eBay. Yes, eBay.
The boats are in need of serious retrofit, as is most of GGF's fleet. each of these will cost about $10 million to retrofit, but GGF can't wait. They are pressing the Napa into service next month, allowing the much beleagured Del Norte to head in for a retrofit, coming back by the end of the year.
In the meantime, the Napa will operate with her old Seattle colors, and without much accommodation for the ever-growing bike population. I did speak to the head of the ferry service, and he seemed to think they could weld some bike hooks on the back, so stay tuned...
Of course, the Napa DID go full bow underwater, causing her ceiling to cave in...but that won't matter...right? Should be a ragged 6 months.
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Post by Barnacle on May 17, 2009 11:09:42 GMT -8
Bitter, bitter... it ain't like they'll meet those kind of weather conditions in SF Bay. ;D
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Post by EGfleet on May 29, 2009 19:52:32 GMT -8
M.V. NAPA ARRIVES IN LARKSPUR, MAY 11, 2009
In January 2009, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District purchased two catamaran vessels from Washington State Ferry (WSF), the M.V. Chinook and the M.V. Snohomish, at a cost of $2 million each. The WSF vessels were built in 1998 and 1999 respectively and have not been used in regular service since 2002.
Following the purchase, the M.V. Snohomish was renamed the M.V. Napa. The vessel underwent minor modification to ready it for delivery to the Golden Gate Ferry Larkspur Terminal facility. The vessel’s loading mechanism was modified to be compatible with Golden Gate Ferry’s upper deck loading equipment, the water jets were refurbished, and a temporary snack bar added. The vessel also underwent required U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) inspections.
Upon arrival in Larkspur on May 11, the M.V. Napa will undergo additional inspections and any necessary modifications will be made before being placed into service on the Larkspur-San Francisco route.
The M.V. Napa is being delivered to Larkspur prior to undergoing a complete refurbishment as it will be placed into service to provide customers continuity with high-speed service during the repowering (new engines) of the M.V. Del Norte. The M.V. Napa will be certified by the USCG to carry 390 passengers which is the same as what the M.V. Del Norte is certified to carry. The current plan is send the M.V. Del Norte out to the ship yard by the end of June 2009 for repowering at which time the M.V. Napa will take over for the M.V. Del Norte.
The two WSF vessels are very similar to the Golden Gate Ferry catamaran, M.V. Del Norte. All three vessels were designed by Advanced Multihull Design and built by Dakota Creek Industries. The Del Norte is the shortest in length at 133.86 feet, with the Chinook at 143.27 feet and the Snohomish at 149.33 feet.
The M.V. Chinook will go to the ship yard sometime between October and December of 2009 for a complete refurbishment which is being funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act at a cost of $9.4 million. Following the return of the M.V. Chinook, the M.V. Napa will undergo a complete refurbishment using 20% District funds and 80% through other grant sources.
M.V. Chinook refurbishment will include:
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Tier 2-20 engines which exceed current California Air Resources Board requirements.
2.
Replacement of reduction gears, main shafting, bearings, engine controls and monitoring panels, electrical generator sets and other miscellaneous pumps and controllers.
3.
Refurbishment of four water jets and updated navigation equipment.
4.
Complete repainting of the vessel, along with interior renovations including: new ADA accessible restrooms; snack bar, seating and tables; bicycle racks; deck coverings.
5.
Modifications to accommodate additional inside seating capacity and new embarkation doors for passengers at the upper deck.
6.
Increased passenger capacity from 350 to a minimum of 450.
The refurbishment timeline for the M.V. Chinook
Begin refurbishment: Sometime between October and December 2009, depending on contract award to ship yard
Complete refurbishment and deliver vessel: Sometime between April and June 2010, depending on when the refurbishment commences
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Post by BreannaF on May 30, 2009 6:08:13 GMT -8
Interesting that it appears that they have done right away whatever was needed to go from 149 passengers to 390.
Or am I getting mixed up somewhere??
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Post by Kahloke on May 30, 2009 8:26:09 GMT -8
Interesting that it appears that they have done right away whatever was needed to go from 149 passengers to 390. Or am I getting mixed up somewhere?? Both vessels were rated at 350 passengers under WSF guise. |
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Post by BreannaF on Sept 12, 2009 17:22:51 GMT -8
From Friday's Kitsap Sun, the Port of Kingston wants to go ahead with a replacement for Aqua Express. Good luck to them!  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingston Port Asks for Bids on Hoped-for New Passenger FerryBy Ed Friedrich Friday, September 11, 2009 KINGSTON — The Port of Kingston is requesting bids for a new passenger ferry to reconnect the North Kitsap town to downtown Seattle. It hopes to have the boat built and transporting riders by September 2010. Executive assistant Kory Henry, who’s working on the project with consultant Pat Jones, said the port expects bids to come in around $2 million. “We’ll go through and see what the cost would be to see if it’s economically wise pursuing a new boat or if we need to look at a used boat for the run,” Henry said. The port had considered buying a 70- to 80-passenger ferry, but the request for proposals calls for a low-wake aluminum boat that can carry up to 150 people at 25 knots. It could make the cross-Sound trip in 35 minutes. Fares have not been determined. “If we can get the boat for the money we want, it will give us the best opportunity to succeed,” Henry said. The port owns a loading dock in Kingston, has an agreement with the state to use a terminal in Seattle, received a $3 million grant from the Federal Transportation Administration in 2007 to buy a boat, and got $150,000 from the state Legislature this year to help with first-year operating costs. The port’s request stipulates a catamaran design driven by twin engines running conventional propellers. Catamarans typically use less fuel at speeds above 20 knots, according to the port. “It is critical that this ferryboat run efficiently at high speeds but remain very nimble and maneuverable approaching the dock,” said Port Commissioner Marc Bissonnette. Bids for the new ferry are due on Oct. 16. Port commissioners hope to announce their selection on Nov. 30. Fuel costs helped lead to the demise of Kingston’s last passenger ferry service, the 270-passenger Aqua Express. A private partnership of Argosy Cruises, Clipper Navigation, Four Seasons Marine and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders operated the ferry from Jan. 18, 2005, until Oct. 1, 2005. The ferry, big and expensive to operate, was shut down after fuel prices spiked and ridership failed to meet expectations. Round-trip fare was $10.50. Kitsap Transit already has a passenger ferry under construction. All American Marine of Bellingham is building the 118-passenger, ultra low-wake boat for $5.3 million. It will cruise at 29 to 38 knots. A federal grant will pay to test the ferry’s wake and economic feasibility while carrying passengers for several months between Bremerton and Seattle. There is no money to operate it after that. The boat will feature an aluminum catamaran hull with a lightweight composite cabin. A hydrofoil system and wake-mitigating interceptors will adjust automatically to produce the lowest wake. It is scheduled to be delivered by March 2010. |
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Post by Barnacle on Sept 12, 2009 21:01:31 GMT -8
So how is it the Port of Kingston thinks they can get for $2M what Kitsap Transit is paying $5.3M for?
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Post by whidbeyislandguy on Sept 13, 2009 9:59:47 GMT -8
Cough.... Aqua Express.... cough....  |
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Post by BreannaF on Nov 1, 2009 16:34:27 GMT -8
A thread for King County Passenger Ferries --
And for my first comment here, I want to say something about the Water Taxi to West Seattle.
I am all for as many transit options as possible. But I will be prepared to take the Waterfront-to-West-Seattle seriously as a transportation option the day that King County is prepared to support the service on a year-round basis. If it's an important link in the Summer, then it's an important link in the Winter.
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Post by SS Shasta on Nov 1, 2009 18:04:47 GMT -8
I must say that I am not very pleased when this appears as a line item on the Seattle property taxes I have to pay each year.  |
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Post by ferryfanatic on Nov 6, 2009 7:22:56 GMT -8
I haven't heard anything about the Chinook lately. Is the Chinook still in Eagle Harbor? Did Nichols get the contract for her renovation? Is that the Del Norte at Nichols now? I know alot of questions but I have one more, how do they move these ferries to and from the bay area? Also, Evergreenfleet I like that you added some internal pictures of the Chinook and Snohomish on your website.  |
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Post by Kahloke on Nov 6, 2009 8:08:59 GMT -8
I haven't heard anything about Chinook's status, either, but I can confirm that she is still at Eagle Harbor.
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Post by EGfleet on Nov 6, 2009 8:32:51 GMT -8
I haven't heard anything about Chinook's status, either, but I can confirm that she is still at Eagle Harbor. I read an article somewhere...I'll see if I can find it again...that they're going to do the upgrades to her here instead of in the Bay area and then move her down in the spring once all the work is finished. The idea is that they'll have a boat ready so that it can replace the Snohomish/Napa for its upgrades. |
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Post by BreannaF on Nov 15, 2009 16:37:50 GMT -8
Well, this is either bad news for the fans of passenger ferries or good news for those looking to save a dollar on their tax bill. Perhaps there are rules that say they can't do it, but I would have looked into a way to keep collecting the $1.2 million per year, set it aside for testing a route or acquiring a ferry someday, and then putting the associated operating funds into running a few more buses in the near term. Lets just say that sometimes the business of politics gets in the way of the business of exploring possible ways to solve transportation problems. (And to get just slightly political, it's difficult for me to get worked up over any line item on my property tax bill that amounts to less than the cost of a single bus ticket and is really important to at least a few people. But that's just me.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seattle Transportation Watch King Co. cuts foot ferry tax; bus service may benefitKing County is scaling back its plans to expand foot ferry service in favor of having the option to keep bus service from being cut. The Ferry District, which is the County Council, voted Monday to significantly reduce its property tax levy for next year and postpone expansion plans. Existing routes connecting West Seattle and Vashon Island and West Seattle and Downtown Seattle will be maintained. Officials said the ferry tax cut gives the County Council the the option to add a property tax for Metro Transit bus service to offset proposed bus service reductions, without adding to the tax burden. The tax rate for the Ferry District - 1/3 of one cent per $1,000 of assessed valuation - will bring in $1.18 million. The new rate translates to about $1.20 per year for the owner of a $400,000 home. The original rate, set two years ago, was 5.5 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. "By sharply reducing the property tax levy for ferries, we are able to prioritize preserving basic bus service without raising taxes during this tough economic time for King County families," County Councilmember Larry Phillips said. "Using reserves to preserve existing passenger ferry service while using levy dollars to stabilize bus service gives us time to have a vital regional conversation about the future of our entire transit system." The planned expansion of foot ferries became a big issue in the county executive's race, which was won by County Council chairman Dow Constantine of West Seattle. His opponent, Susan Hutchison, said spending more money on foot ferries made no sense economically or practically. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 15, 2009 10:49:56 GMT -8
Thanks Jody. The Carlisle II is my favourite of the group of ships that you've posted. Why do I like it? - It's over 90 years old, and still running - The comical toy-boat look to it, with her raised bow and her wheel-house. - The simple small touches, such as the name-board, the K-logo on the exhaust stack. |
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Post by EGfleet on Dec 15, 2009 11:03:05 GMT -8
Thanks Jody. The Carlisle II is my favourite of the group of ships that you've posted. Why do I like it? - It's over 90 years old, and still running - The comical toy-boat look to it, with her raised bow and her wheel-house. - The simple small touches, such as the name-board, the K-logo on the exhaust stack. They've done a great job restoring her as well. She was open for tours in Bellingham a little over a year ago and I was very impressed at how well they've done to keep her looking as close to original as possible. If you're ever in the Bremerton area, she's worth taking a trip on!  Here she is circa 1935 with a brand new Kalakala, which still needs some paint on the stern. |
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Post by BreannaF on Jan 2, 2010 17:18:47 GMT -8
West Seattle Blog has an update on the work being done on the dock at the West Seattle side for the Water Taxi HERE, in preparation for year-round service. They also note that the Seattle end of the route will move from Pier 55 to Pier 50, in anticipation of Argosy Cruises not running the boat anymore. That also gives the passengers more direct access to the ferry terminal and connecting transit to downtown and beyond. |
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Jody
Chief Steward
Ferry Foamer
Posts: 152
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Post by Jody on Feb 23, 2010 14:36:50 GMT -8
Ran across this today in the Kitsap Sun. Interesting, as I hadn't heard about it before... Looks like we could have a new passenger-only boat running Puget Sound pretty soon... www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/feb/23/kingston-port-could-buy-ferry-wednesday/The boat should be in Port Townsend for inspection on Thursday, and, interestingly enough, there is some discussion of using it for service up there too, and/or with PT-Kingston bus connector service. Here's another article for your reading pleasure. www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100223/news/302239986And finally, a link to some builder's data on the M/V Spirit from All-American Marine up in Bellingham, including photos, and links to some studies on wake mitigation in Rich Passage that I found interesting as well. www.allamericanmarine.com/cats/72_fourseason.htmlIt's interesting to me that cross-Puget Sound passenger only ferries have been proven to be big money losers, yet everyone is in such a hurry to get into the business. First King County, then Kitsap Transit (whose new low-wake test ferry should be done next month), and now Port of Kingston. Specifically, I quote from the Peninsula Daily News article, "This is not an experiment," said Peter DeBoer, port of Kingston commissioner for the past six years. "We feel we have enough in kitty to operate for four to five years. If it's done right should we break even or make a little bit." Why? What do they know that WSF doesn't or the various private entities that have taken a stab at this don't? How do these agencies figure they'll make money where WSF can't? According to the article, Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Larry Crockett said of service from PT-Seattle, Round-trip fares could be as high as $20 for commuter round trips and $30 for tourists to make passenger ferry service pay for itself. Still, they've asked for a $1 million grant to buy a used ferry from Alaska to do just that. I guess I'm a little bit surprised by that. I may be naive, but I really thought passenger-only service was a beaten horse, proven dead. Looks like I'm mistaken... Thanks for looking! Jody |
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 23, 2010 15:22:15 GMT -8
They used a $710,000 ferry last time; maybe a more expensive one will help.
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Jody
Chief Steward
Ferry Foamer
Posts: 152
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Post by Jody on Feb 23, 2010 15:30:08 GMT -8
Good gravy, isn't that how government works? LOL...
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Post by Kahloke on Feb 23, 2010 15:30:28 GMT -8
I may be naive, but I really thought passenger-only service was a beaten horse, proven dead. Looks like I'm mistaken... Not necessarily. There's little evidence to suggest that this venture will fare better than Aqua Express. At first glance, it appears the vessel may be a little more economical than Aqua's boat, so they may have that in their favour, but the logistical problems of getting people to the dock in Kingston still exist. Kingston has very limited parking in town and Kitsap Transit bus service to that ferry terminal is practically non-existent except for the #91, which does serve the George's Corner P&R lot, but its hours are limited, and its primary mission is providing service to and from the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal. Unless you live right in Kingston (within walking distance to the ferry), or can find in-town parking, it's going to be difficult to attract customers with the existing connections/service. I suppose it might lure some folks who normally take the WSF ferry to Edmonds, but I still think its going to be a hard sell. The other factor will be price. What is the fare going to be? If it's going to be a lot more than what WSF charges on the KIN-EDM route, then there may be a problem. Also, will the new service work with the ORCA Card? My guess is probably not right away. I'm trying not to be such a pessimist here. I would love to see passenger-only service on Puget Sound, and this route is one that should work, but I think we have a ways to go before all the pieces come together to make something like this viable, and I'm not sure this is the right time to do it. I guess I'll have to take a "wait and see" attitude for now. |
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Post by northwesterner on Feb 23, 2010 17:08:24 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.
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 23, 2010 17:27:50 GMT -8
I'm sorry; I'm still giggling over Kahloke's suggestion of "in-town parking" in Kingston. |
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FNS
Voyager 
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,942
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Post by FNS on Feb 23, 2010 19:51:52 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. |
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Jody
Chief Steward
Ferry Foamer
Posts: 152
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Post by Jody on Feb 23, 2010 20:46:30 GMT -8
FerryNut,
Thanks for an interesting perspective that I hadn't considered. I do appreciate the input.
Jody
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