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Post by Kahloke on Feb 12, 2008 15:39:18 GMT -8
I just took a look at the Steamship Authority website, and it says Island Home can accommodate 60 cars on the main car deck, plus 16 more on the platforms for a total of 76. My idea for going with a single central stairwell on an Island Home based-design is to get somewhere near the same 76-car capacity (plus or minus a few cars) by getting a 6th lane in on the main car deck and not installing platforms (as I said above, Island Home only has 5 lanes + the 2 platforms). And, I figured with 1 stairwell (which may need to be somewhat wider than the ones on Island Home) you could achieve such a vehicle capacity without having to widen the vessel too much from the current design. While 70-76 cars is only marginally better than what the Steel Electrics provided, it's a heck of a lot better than the 54-car capacity of the Steilacoom II.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 13, 2008 18:32:40 GMT -8
An interesting story: tinyurl.com/2jhqsv========================= A former NOAA officer, otherwise anonymous, has filed an interesting report about weather conditions in Admiralty Inlet, where the Port Townsend-Whidbey Island ferry route runs (when it does). His verdict: the state's plans to replace the current ferry with a smaller boat would risk lives, due to the mighty winds and waves prevalent in the area. The blogger describes, with detailed records, how the wind comes around the Olympics and creates intense pressure and high waves. That calls for boats that are "large, powerful, and sturdy," he writes. Here's his scary weather report: When Southwest storm winds off the Pacific are forced to divide around the Olympic Mts., the eastern branch of these winds blows up Hood Canal. Because the mountains have forced the moving air aside, it is compressed, and by a well-known principle of fluid dynamics called the Bernoulli Principle, a flowing fluid (in this case air) that is compressed and subjected to higher pressure by dividing around an object speeds up in the immediate vicinity of the object. This is why Hood Canal experienced 100 mph winds in 1979, winds which broke apart and sank the original bridge. When this eastern branch of the “fluid” reaches the northern end of Hood Canal at the NE corner of the Olympic Peninsula and north end of the Kitsap Peninsula, it spews forth into Admiralty Inlet like water out of a fire hose and slams into the southwest side of Whidbey Island. In calling for bigger boats to replace the scrapped small Port Townsend ferry, the writer also says there will need to be an expanded terminal at Port Townsend and a new terminal outside the tiny Keystone Harbor on Whidbey. He stresses that the Inlet is "a wild and dangerous place," as some recent episodes demonstrate: The experience of the Keystone-Port Townsend passenger-only ferry the other day is a case in point, with the entire bow going under dark green water for what seemed like an eternity, flooding water into the passenger cabin and striking terror among the passengers. They literally thought they were about to die, screaming and helplessly running “up hill” toward the back of the boat. Another case in point is the recent event that damaged cars on a much larger San Juan Islands ferry. The comments appear on a blog called Bitter End, run by a rescue tug captain, Richard J. Rodriguez. It's an interesting source of detailed information about our ferries, from the helm, as it were. ================= Here's the link to the blog that's referenced in the above story: captrichardrodriguez.blogspot.com/2008/02/myopia-continues.html
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 14, 2008 8:45:26 GMT -8
Captain cautions Steilacoom II riders
By Barney Burke, Leader Staff Writer
Even those who got a little seasick during a preview ride on the Steilacoom II last Friday expressed gratitude to Pierce County for loaning its nearly new ferry to restore vehicle service between Port Townsend and Keystone.
All four Steel Electric ferries were abruptly retired Nov. 20 after inspections in two of them found extensive rust in their hulls.
But Steilacoom II was not designed for the sometimes treacherous Admiralty Inlet, and Washington State Ferries Capt. Mark Haupt gave a frank, sobering outline of new operating parameters based on four days of sea trials that saw green water washing over its car deck.
With Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond and Senate Transportation Committee Mary Margaret Haugen standing beside him, Haupt, a 35-year WSF employee, minced no words.
"This vessel may have limited applications in these waters," he said. Steilacoom II is subject to more stringent stability limitations, particularly with respect to large trucks. And it is more vulnerable to weather problems, he said.
Consequently, Haupt explained, customers should plan for more frequent weather cancellations, and limited loading space during rough conditions. (For example, on Feb. 12 the Steilacoom II was pulled out of service at 5 p.m. due to weather.) In addition, drivers will sometimes be asked to check their parking brakes and then walk up to the cabin rather than remain in their vehicles.
During sea trials Feb. 5, 1 to 2 feet of water flooded the car deck. "This vessel doesn't give us a lot of safety factors," Haupt said. "Water coming on the deck is a great concern."
The elevator was not operative during a media ride Feb. 8, but a WSF spokeswoman was unable to say why.
Haupt noted that dockings could be a problem during windy conditions because Steilacoom II does not have a keel. "If wind is present, this vessel will move," he said.
Weather is going to be a much bigger factor for Port Townsend-Keystone service, Haupt emphasized. "The threshold for sailing will be less than it was with the Steel Electrics."
As crews gain more experience with Steilacoom II, they will establish parameters for sailing the new ferry in rough conditions. Harkening back to the days when the circa 1947 Rhododendron linked PT and Keystone, Haupt said captains will look to follow tidal currents and use other rough storm strategies that weren't usually necessary with Steel Electrics such as Klickitat or Quinault.
Haupt said he wished Steilacoom II had more power and a genuine keel, but, nonetheless, "I'm impressed by the way it handles." It has good maneuverability with its propeller shafts, and it "backs down well," he said. "So far so good."
Ferry officials have drafted a list of modifications should the Legislature authorize building one or more Steilacoom-based ferries.
Those who are accustomed to the Steel Electrics would have noticed a lot more rocking on Steilacoom II last Friday. Admiralty Inlet was relatively calm despite a stiff and steady breeze, but up in the passenger cabin, every pitch and roll was amplified. Several passengers looked pretty green, and WSF Community Relations and Public Outreach Manager Hadley Greene confirmed that WSF staff brought along seasickness bags, although none were deployed during the round-trip voyage.
Meanwhile, WSF is making plans for more ferry traffic holding areas. One Steilacoom II is equal to just 41 percent of normal peak season vehicle capacity, and construction of a mixed-used development at Indian Point requires relocation of remote holding lanes. The current plan is to convert Jefferson Street into a one-way street in the block adjacent to the Visitor Information Center, but that plan is not yet approved.
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Post by BreannaF on Feb 22, 2008 0:11:50 GMT -8
From The Whidbey News-Times: "Unlike other ferry boats in the system"?----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Rafts for AllBy Jessie Stensland Feb 20 2008 If the Steilacoom II goes down in the middle of Admiralty Inlet, it shouldn’t turn into a Titanic scenario with frightened passengers fighting over life rafts. Unlike other ferry boats in the system, officials say there should be enough space in the inflatable boats for everyone onboard. Owned by Pierce County, the Steilacoom II is one of the smaller boats serving ferry users and it’s been posted on the most dangerous route to fill in until new boats can be built. The biggest change Washington State Ferries had to make to the 300-person ferry was to add enough life rafts to accommodate all passengers. Now there’s three canisters, each containing two 50-person life rafts. As Traci Brewer-Rogstad, deputy director for the ferry system, explained, ferry boats run in most other areas of Puget Sound aren’t required to have enough rafts for everyone onboard. That’s unless they are passenger-only boats or travel to Canada. “They operate closer to shores and in calmer waters,” she said. In other words, ferry officials don’t think the expense of a plethora of life rafts is necessary on all boats because if there’s a problem on the Clinton or Bainbridge runs, for example, help will be nearby. That’s not the case in the lengthy and sometimes rough ride between Central Whidbey’s Keystone and Port Townsend docks. Ferry officials concede that passengers may be on their own for a longer time if there’s a maritime disaster on the run. The issue of the adequacy of life rafts on ferries is periodically highlighted by the media. In 1996, the U.S. Coast Guard proposed rules requiring all passenger vessels operating in inland waters to carry life rafts for all passengers. But under pressure from the ferry system and a lobbying group, the Coast Guard backed down, according to a story by Eric Nalder in the Seattle P-I.
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Post by Freeland on Feb 22, 2008 15:36:36 GMT -8
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 22, 2008 20:48:33 GMT -8
I know this won't concern most of you on here, but I feel its worth mentioning..... I've been watching my visitor stats on my Fotopic webpage, and the MV Island Home gallery has recieved nearly 300 hits just in the past few weeks. All of the other galleries average 50 hits/month. So either you guys are looking for a preview of what you'll probably be sailing around Puget Sound soon, or some other fan group been having a look. The number of hits only skyrocketed around when WSF mentioned they're looking to build two Island Home type vessels. If anyone else want's to see it, go to: photosbychris2006.fotopic.net/c1394399.html
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 23, 2008 5:48:43 GMT -8
Thanks for the link, Chris. I'd heard of some of the goofy things on that car deck but I wanted to see if they were for real.
The Island Home looks like a serious contender IMHO.
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Post by old_wsf_fan on Feb 23, 2008 8:40:24 GMT -8
If WSF decides to use the Island Home design, would they use it as is or with modifications?
It has been brought up before about increased turn around time at each dock with bay doors. She is a big vessel for only carrying 65 or so vehicles.
Could they use the basic hull design and change the upperworks to a more conventional WSF style boat?
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 23, 2008 13:07:23 GMT -8
She can take on 60 vehicles just on the regular car deck. But can add another 16 on the two hydraulic lift decks to total 76 vehicles. The biggest downfall to the hydraulic lift decks, when I was out on Marthas Vineyard was the extra time for loading them. The terminal attendant would have to stop each vehicle as they were loading the hydraulic deck, to get all of the passengers out of the car so they could walk on, just so the driver would be the only one to squeeze out of the vehicle as the lanes were too narrow. She can carry 1200 passengers though, but I never got to experience a sailing that was jam packed. All in all, I thought it was a great vessel to take a trip on. But I'd question how necessary the bow thrusters on each end are though.
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Post by FNS on Feb 23, 2008 13:32:16 GMT -8
If WSF decides to use the Island Home design, would they use it as is or with modifications? It has been brought up before about increased turn around time at each dock with bay doors. She is a big vessel for only carrying 65 or so vehicles. Could they use the basic hull design and change the upperworks to a more conventional WSF style boat? Remember folks. The MV ISLAND HOME type ferry is a speedy ferry capable of sixteen knot speeds compared to twelve for the ferries that have been used on the Keystone run. No extra turnaround time as the doors are opening when the ferry approaches and are closing just after departure. Been watching this on the MVTimes webcam. Also, the ISLAND HOME is one foot shorter than the ILLAHEE, KLICKITAT, NISQUALLY, and QUINAULT. She looks a tad bigger with that overheight car deck, the Mark II passenger cabin (which is a bit shorter than a SE), and the Sun Deck with all that ventilation equipment and crew space amidships.
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Post by Kahloke on Feb 23, 2008 17:33:59 GMT -8
I know I've speculated what an Island Home type ferry would look like with a central stairwell and 6 lanes of traffic on the main car deck, but even if WSF chooses a design that doesn't vary as much from the original Island Home template, a faster 60 car ferry (faster than the SE's, that is) will still provide a better level of service if they can squeeze extra sailings in during the day. How many more trips can be made if the crossing time is only 20 minutes instead of 30 minutes, especially if they maintain the current 15 minute dwell time at each end? The simplest solution may be to take the basic Island Home design as it is, eliminate the platform decks (I think this is the one piece of complexity that would lengthen the dwell times), and perhaps lose the saddle lounges, if that's structurally feasible. Keep everything else the same - 5 car lanes, twin stairwells, etc. OK, so we'd be losing 16 car spaces by not doing the platforms, but I truly believe the extra time involved of raising and lowering those decks will push the dwell time out enough to negate any benefit of installing them, especially if extra runs can be accommodated with a simpler single-deck setup. I'm dying to know what design WSF is really going to go with!
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Post by SS Shasta on Feb 23, 2008 19:20:56 GMT -8
This "Island Home" design is clearly a step in the right direction. Almost anything would likely be an improvement over the "floating boxcar" WSF has leased for the run. This is not a criticism of that vessel as it is likely a very good fit for the Anderson Island route. It's just not safe or suited for Port Townsend/Keystone in my opinion.
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Post by FNS on Feb 23, 2008 22:20:14 GMT -8
This "Island Home" design is clearly a step in the right direction. Almost anything would likely be an improvement over the "floating boxcar" WSF has leased for the run. This is not a criticism of that vessel as it is likely a very good fit for the Anderson Island route. It's just not safe or suited for Port Townsend/Keystone in my opinion. I say AMEN to this! You all forum member mates have been discussing names to replace the Steel-Electrics. Most importantly, one name has to be based on the letter "Q" as you say there has to be a new "Q-boat" in the fleet to replace the QUINAULT. Since the ISLAND HOME design is like a miniature QUEEN OF COQUITLAM in a way, and these following mentioned Olympic Peninsula communities are served one way or the other by the Keystone run, I have suggested to WSF by email that these IH-like ferries be named MV QUILLAYUTE and MV QUILCENE and the class be called the "Q-Class". It looks, though, that the first ferry will be based on the "Anderson Island"-Class. I think that this will be destined to the Tahlequah run after, hopefully, the IH ferries are built for the Keystone run. I suggest the name of that one be the MV TAHLEQUAH. Your opinion on this one, folks! Here are the upcoming new ferries and their potential names: Port Townsend - Keystone MV QUILLAYUTE (60-76 cars) MV QUILCENE (60-76 cars) Mukilteo - Clinton MV CHETZEMOKA (144 cars) MV KULSHAN (144 cars) Seattle - Bremerton MV ENETAI (144 cars) Point Defiance - Tahalequah MV TAHLEQUAH (50 cars) (for temporary Keystone service firstly)
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 24, 2008 22:33:44 GMT -8
This "Island Home" design is clearly a step in the right direction. Almost anything would likely be an improvement over the "floating boxcar" WSF has leased for the run. This is not a criticism of that vessel as it is likely a very good fit for the Anderson Island route. It's just not safe or suited for Port Townsend/Keystone in my opinion. I say AMEN to this! You all forum member mates have been discussing names to replace the Steel-Electrics. Most importantly, one name has to be based on the letter "Q" as you say there has to be a new "Q-boat" in the fleet to replace the QUINAULT. Since the ISLAND HOME design is like a miniature QUEEN OF COQUITLAM in a way, and these following mentioned Olympic Peninsula communities are served one way or the other by the Keystone run, I have suggested to WSF by email that these IH-like ferries be named MV QUILLAYUTE and MV QUILCENE and the class be called the "Q-Class". It looks, though, that the first ferry will be based on the "Anderson Island"-Class. I think that this will be destined to the Tahlequah run after, hopefully, the IH ferries are built for the Keystone run. I suggest the name of that one be the MV TAHLEQUAH. Your opinion on this one, folks! Here are the upcoming new ferries and their potential names: Port Townsend - Keystone MV QUILLAYUTE (60-76 cars) MV QUILCENE (60-76 cars) Mukilteo - Clinton MV CHETZEMOKA (144 cars) MV KULSHAN (144 cars) Seattle - Bremerton MV ENETAI (144 cars) Point Defiance - Tahalequah MV TAHLEQUAH (50 cars) (for temporary Keystone service firstly) All good an well, but don't forget, one of the 144's is coming to the San Juans. ;D As for "Tahlequah" there's some disagreement as to whether or not it is actually Chinook. It is a known Cherokee word mean "plenty of water."
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Feb 24, 2008 22:51:38 GMT -8
It would be very appropriate for a Vashon Island route though since it is surrounded by ALOT of water, after all it is an island.
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Post by Kahloke on Feb 25, 2008 0:17:01 GMT -8
Here are the upcoming new ferries and their potential names: Port Townsend - Keystone MV QUILLAYUTE (60-76 cars) MV QUILCENE (60-76 cars) Mukilteo - Clinton MV CHETZEMOKA (144 cars) MV KULSHAN (144 cars) Seattle - Bremerton MV ENETAI (144 cars) Point Defiance - Tahalequah MV TAHLEQUAH (50 cars) (for temporary Keystone service firstly) I like the Q-Boat names for the Port townsend ferries, but how about the name "Mukilteo" for one of the Mukilteo ferries? The name has an Indian origin, Mucklteoh, according to the book "Place Names of Washington". It might be nice to have one of the ferries named after where it sails to. So maybe the ferry breakout could look something like this: Port Townsend - Keystone M/V QUILLAYUTE (60+ cars) M/V QUILCENE (60+ cars) Mukilteo - Clinton M/V CHETZMOKA (144 cars) M/V MUKILTEO (144 cars) Anacortes - San Juan Islands M/V ENETAI (144 cars) - I love the idea of resurrecting the name Enetai Point Defiance - Tahlequah M/V TAHLEQUAH (54 cars) Perhaps some of the subsequent 144-car ferries can use Indian names such as Kulshan, Ahtanum, Klahanie, Leschi, Skamania, & Skokomish. There's probably a ton more choices but those names at least sound cool!
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Post by BreannaF on Feb 25, 2008 7:48:37 GMT -8
A whole thread worth of discussion on WSF ferry names can be found HERE.
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 25, 2008 9:19:13 GMT -8
Bigger ferries would meet needs
By Brian Gawley, Peninsula Daily News
OLYMPIA — The Island Home-class ferries being eyed as a model for new boats on the Port Townsend-Keystone route would meet state ferries system needs, but be more expensive than the retired Steel Electrics to operate, said a report given to state legislators last week.
The Island Home-class ferry used in Nantucket, Mass., is designed by the same Washington state designer that created the smaller Steilacoom II, which Washington State Ferries is leasing from Pierce County for the Port Townsend-Keystone run.
The Steilacoom II was built in 1996 by Nichols Brothers shipbuilders on Whidbey Island.
Steilacoom II Capt. Mark Haupt, Washington State Ferries Port Capt. Pete Williams and two engineers returned Wednesday from a trip to evaluate the Island Home-class ferries operated by the Nantucket Steamship Company.
Several state lawmakers and some Port Townsend civic leaders have discussed using the Island Home 1,200-passenger, 76-car ferries as models for replacements of two of the four 60-car, 616-passenger Steel Electrics that were pulled from service Nov. 20 by state Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.
The Steel Electrics were idled because of safety concerns.
Another 50-car, 350-passenger Steilacoom II-class ferry, identical to the one being leased from Pierce County, is being built to serve on the route, while larger ferries are considered for the future.
'Meets the needs' The captains and engineers "all believe that the vessel meets the needs of the Port Townsend-Keystone route for the second and third vessels to replace the Steel Electrics," wrote DOT Chief of Staff Steve Reinmuth in an e-mail to several state lawmakers.
According to Reinmuth's report, the boat will meet the maneuverability requirements for the narrow, shallow Keystone Harbor, maintain the operational schedule and meet the winter weather needs of withstanding 40-knot winds.
It also has a reliable fixed-pitch propulsion system, a top speed of 16 knots (compared to the Steel Electrics' 12 knots), meets the passenger and vehicle capacity requirements, the report stated.
But the boats also would require twice the crew and fuel of the Steel Electrics, 13 people and 1,200 gallons per day, Reinmuth's report said.
The first vessel could be delivered in two years at an estimated cost of $32 million, compared to $20 million for the Steilacoom II duplicate.
"Shipyards believe that the $32 million is likely higher, given the extra work that comes with building a ship that they have never built before," Reinmuth wrote in his report.
Haupt was quoted by Reinmuth as saying, "The Island Home, as constructed, will really reduce the number of weather cancellations and fits the unique requirements of the Port Townsend/Keystone route."
Haupt also said, "The Island Home is the most maneuverable vessel for its size that I've seen.
"We rode the Island Home in weather where we would have had to cancel service with the Steel Electrics, and the vessel handled really well."
Staff Chief Engineer John Bailey said that after two days he was convinced the Island Home-class ferries would be capable replacements for the Steel Electrics, with ample horsepower and control for the Port Townsend-Keystone route.
Vessel Engineer Ron Wohlfrom added that with some modifications the Island Home-class ferries would be even better on the route than the Steel Electrics.
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Post by SS Shasta on Feb 25, 2008 13:17:21 GMT -8
If they built 2 Island Home Class and 1 Anderson Island Class, would they have to reduce the 144 Class from 3 to 2 to fit within the budget? It is beginning to look like there will be a budget crunch down Olympia way.
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Post by BreannaF on Feb 25, 2008 19:11:48 GMT -8
Very nice. At least they all agree it would work.
Faster + more cars = more fuel? Makes sense.
Twice the crew? I don't doubt it, but actually if this is true, I am sort of surprised at how small the crew would have been on an S-E. 6 or 7 crew would have been really busy at times, no?
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 25, 2008 19:27:46 GMT -8
The Steel-Electrics ran with a crew of nine, counting everyone. Hardly 'twice' the crew. If that were 13 in the deck crew, then finally we'd be having a decent-sized crew for emergencies.
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 26, 2008 9:31:01 GMT -8
If they built 2 Island Home Class and 1 Anderson Island Class, would they have to reduce the 144 Class from 3 to 2 to fit within the budget? It is beginning to look like there will be a budget crunch down Olympia way. No, it won't. This is from KOMO: Story Published: Feb 25, 2008 at 6:20 PM PST Story Updated: Feb 25, 2008 at 6:20 PM PST By Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Senate Democrats on Monday unveiled plans to cut about $146 million from the state transportation budget, ferreting out savings while mostly agreeing with projects pitched by Gov. Chris Gregoire and the state House. Gregoire and lawmakers from both chambers will soon begin negotiations to iron out differences between the Senate's supplemental transportation plan and the House version, en route to a planned March 13 session adjournment. There will always be dickering, but on the major projects, there's a lot of agreement, said Senate Transportation Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island: "Unfortunately, this isn't a very exciting budget." The Senate's plan helps deal with an estimated $1.5 billion deficit projected for the present 16-year highway construction plan, which is financed with a slice of state gas tax revenue. The deficit has cropped up through inflation, dwindling gas tax collections and last fall's voter rejection of a $18 billion transportation financing plan in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Major differences between House and Senate budget writers include the Senate's addition of six State Patrol troopers on U.S. Highway 2, the latest roadway to be dubbed a "killer highway" because of fatal crashes. Republicans have criticized the House's transportation blueprint as too skimpy on Highway 2 safety. Haugen said the added troopers would give the corridor close to 24-hour coverage - a presence that she hopes will cause drivers to slow down and improve safety. "We believe that really is going to have an immediate impact," Haugen said Monday. Like the House, the Senate found savings in the beleaguered state ferry system, with $5 million cut from unfilled headquarters staffing. Instead of spending on terminal design and consultants, the newly overhauled agency will be focused on building and maintaining boats, Democratic leaders said. "Those of us who have visited that office, there's an awful lot of people up there, and we're not sure what all they were doing," Haugen said. Proposed boat spending breaks down this way: -$283 million for three new 144-car vessels.-$85 million for three boats to replace the unsafe Steel-Electric ferries.-$15 million to refurbish the ferry Hyak.Senators also plan to set aside the same amounts of money as the House and governor toward Washington's two looming mega-projects: About $180 million for a new State Route 520 bridge and some $298 million for starter projects supporting the eventual replacement of downtown Seattle's aging Alaskan Way Viaduct. However, the Senate doesn't follow the House's lead by presuming early tolls for the 520 bridge replacement, because the bill laying out that policy hasn't yet been heard in the Senate's committee, Haugen said. Senate GOP transportation leader Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, mostly praised the budget, but he said a lack of local leadership on the floating bridge and viaduct is a nagging problem that distracts from work to relieve traffic jams. Senators found spending cuts in the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which yielded a savings of $3.8 million by reducing the new bridge's management staff, Haugen said. This winter's weather emergencies also drew specific spending in the Senate transportation budget, with about $3.25 million earmarked for extra snow removal in the mountain passes and $3 million to attract federal matching dollars for the aftermath of southwestern Washington's heavy floods. --- The Senate transportation budget is ESHB 2878.
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Post by SS Shasta on Feb 26, 2008 16:36:01 GMT -8
If they built 2 Island Home Class and 1 Anderson Island Class, would they have to reduce the 144 Class from 3 to 2 to fit within the budget? It is beginning to look like there will be a budget crunch down Olympia way. No, it won't. This is from KOMO: Story Published: Feb 25, 2008 at 6:20 PM PST Story Updated: Feb 25, 2008 at 6:20 PM PST By Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Senate Democrats on Monday unveiled plans to cut about $146 million from the state transportation budget, ferreting out savings while mostly agreeing with projects pitched by Gov. Chris Gregoire and the state House. Gregoire and lawmakers from both chambers will soon begin negotiations to iron out differences between the Senate's supplemental transportation plan and the House version, en route to a planned March 13 session adjournment. There will always be dickering, but on the major projects, there's a lot of agreement, said Senate Transportation Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island: "Unfortunately, this isn't a very exciting budget." The Senate's plan helps deal with an estimated $1.5 billion deficit projected for the present 16-year highway construction plan, which is financed with a slice of state gas tax revenue. The deficit has cropped up through inflation, dwindling gas tax collections and last fall's voter rejection of a $18 billion transportation financing plan in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Major differences between House and Senate budget writers include the Senate's addition of six State Patrol troopers on U.S. Highway 2, the latest roadway to be dubbed a "killer highway" because of fatal crashes. Republicans have criticized the House's transportation blueprint as too skimpy on Highway 2 safety. Haugen said the added troopers would give the corridor close to 24-hour coverage - a presence that she hopes will cause drivers to slow down and improve safety. "We believe that really is going to have an immediate impact," Haugen said Monday. Like the House, the Senate found savings in the beleaguered state ferry system, with $5 million cut from unfilled headquarters staffing. Instead of spending on terminal design and consultants, the newly overhauled agency will be focused on building and maintaining boats, Democratic leaders said. "Those of us who have visited that office, there's an awful lot of people up there, and we're not sure what all they were doing," Haugen said. Proposed boat spending breaks down this way: -$283 million for three new 144-car vessels.-$85 million for three boats to replace the unsafe Steel-Electric ferries.-$15 million to refurbish the ferry Hyak.Senators also plan to set aside the same amounts of money as the House and governor toward Washington's two looming mega-projects: About $180 million for a new State Route 520 bridge and some $298 million for starter projects supporting the eventual replacement of downtown Seattle's aging Alaskan Way Viaduct. However, the Senate doesn't follow the House's lead by presuming early tolls for the 520 bridge replacement, because the bill laying out that policy hasn't yet been heard in the Senate's committee, Haugen said. Senate GOP transportation leader Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, mostly praised the budget, but he said a lack of local leadership on the floating bridge and viaduct is a nagging problem that distracts from work to relieve traffic jams. Senators found spending cuts in the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which yielded a savings of $3.8 million by reducing the new bridge's management staff, Haugen said. This winter's weather emergencies also drew specific spending in the Senate transportation budget, with about $3.25 million earmarked for extra snow removal in the mountain passes and $3 million to attract federal matching dollars for the aftermath of southwestern Washington's heavy floods. --- The Senate transportation budget is ESHB 2878. Yes, the above is very similar to what I read in the Seattle paper yesterday. What I am wondering if the money allocated for the three replacement vessels for Port Townsend/Keystone is based on building three "Steilacoom II Class" boats rather than the "Island Home Class." Does it look like the money will be short if the "Island Home Class" is considered? It seems to me that the "Steilacoom II Class" is clearly not suited for this route.
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 27, 2008 8:09:25 GMT -8
We've already covered the Steilacoom being inadequate as nauseam, so I'll skip that bit... for the $85M, less $20M for the Steilacoom III, leaves $65M for a pair of modified Island Homes. That really should be adequate.
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 28, 2008 11:39:17 GMT -8
DOT urged to pick Island Home ferryBy Barney Burke, Leader Staff Writer Although bidding is under way for three new 50-car ferries based on Steilacoom II, the possibility of building just one Steilacoom and two Island Homes is alive and kicking here and in Olympia. "We'll get something bigger," Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, told The Leader Tuesday. "Those little Steilacooms aren't big enough for this route." Kessler, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, and local officials at both ends of the route were encouraged by what Washington State Ferries reported after sending key staff to ride the Island Home ferry in Massachusetts last week. The 76-car Island Home is well suited for the rough sailing conditions of Admiralty Inlet, they concluded. Legislation signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire on Feb. 14 allocates $100 million for three ferries capable of carrying up to 100 vehicles each. Kessler said she thinks the Department of Transportation to build one Steilacoom and two Island Homes for $100 million. But the decision of what kind of ferry to build is up to DOT, she said. On that note, Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval and Councilors George Randels and David King met with Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond in Olympia. Sandoval cautioned that if the bigger ferries cost more, it might be more difficult to get funding for mitigations while awaiting new ferries. "We really need to have a plan about next year and the year after," she said. "We will have very limited ferry service, and we need to do all we can to be service-oriented and reaching out in terms of marketing. This summer will be a dry run in terms of what to expect in 2009." According to Rep. Kessler, it takes 14 months to build a Steilacoom II compared to about two years for Island Home. She also noted that Island Home costs more to operate. Both were designed by the Elliott Bay Design Group of Seattle. Glowing reviews WSF Capt. Mark Haupt, Chief Engineer John Bailey, Vessel Project Engineer Ron Wohlfrom and Port Capt. Pete Williams all gave Island Home glowing reviews. "The Island Home, as constructed, will really reduce the number of weather cancellations and fits the unique requirements of the Port Townsend/Keystone route," said Haupt, who was master of Klickitat and oversaw sea trials of Steilacoom II. "We rode the Island Home in weather where we would have had to cancel service with the Steel Electrics, and the vessel handled really well." Bailey agreed. "After spending two days on the Island Home, I'm convinced it will be a capable replacement for the Steel Electrics - it has ample horsepower and control to make it suited for operations on the Port Townsend-Keystone route." "As designed, the Island Home would be fully functional for use on the Port Townsend-Keystone route, and we could make some design modifications to make it even better," said Wohlfrom. Island Home holds 1,200 people. Although a ferry with 1,200 people requires a larger crew than the Steel Electrics, Port Townsend Planning Director Rick Sepler said that if occupancy were limited to a lower number, the crew requirement would be reduced. Currently, WSF is seeking bids to build up to three ferries based on Steilacoom II. Those bids are due March 20. The bid specifies that one ferry must be delivered in time to operate by Mother's Day 2009, just prior to the closing of the Hood Canal Bridge for about six weeks to replace its eastern span. Meanwhile, WSF received no bids on eBay for the mothballed passenger-only ferry Chinook. The minimum bid was $4.5 million. WSF spokeswoman Hadley Greene said this week that it would likely be relisted on the online auction site sometime this week. www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=20201&TM=75925.73
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