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Post by BreannaF on Jun 6, 2009 18:19:12 GMT -8
So there. A thread for the off chance I ever see anything about little ferries that cross rivers and such around the Northwestern US. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anyway, the following article was found in today's Portland Oregonian about the dock on the Washington side of the Columbia River used by the mighty ferry M/V Wahkiakum: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stimulus money will help replace Puget Island ferry terminalby The Associated Press Saturday June 06, 2009, 10:23 AM LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) -- Wahkiakum County is getting $590,000 in federal stimulus funds to replace the deteriorating Puget Island ferry terminal. The stimulus award was announced by U.S. Rep. Brian Baird and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, both D-Wash. The Daily News said county officials were surprised because they had been told the project may have been too far down the list to qualify. In May, the county was told the ferry landing was a tier 2 rating for stimulus money, meaning it would get money only if other, higher-ranked projects fell through or declined the money. "It's excellent news," said Pete Ringen, the county's public works director. The $590,000 will give the county enough money to complete the $2.8 million project. The county also received $200,000 from Congress in 2005 to replace the terminal. That makes it possible for many Cathlamet, Wash., area workers to commute to the Wauna paper mill in Clatskanie. The newspaper said work will begin in late fall and should be complete by April. The state of Washington had labeled the ferry landing as "structurally deficient" because deck is deteriorating and pilings and timber planks are slowly breaking apart although Ringen said the landing still is considered safe. During construction, a temporary ramp will be built during construction to keep the ferry operating for the hundreds of mill workers and other commuters who rely on the ferry. The year-round ferry makes at least 18 daily runs between Puget Island near Cathlamet and Westport. Without the ferry, residents face lengthy detours through Longview, Wash., or Astoria. Ringen said the temporary ramp adds $500,000 to the project. The county also would like to buy a larger ferry that could carry more people and handle larger vehicles. The new ferry is estimated to cost $5.3 million. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My pictures from July 2007:   |
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Post by SS Shasta on Jun 7, 2009 16:23:39 GMT -8
A very interesting little ferry route. I usually make that trip about once a year. Yes, a very worthwhile project! That old dock on the Washington side definitely needs to be replaced.
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Post by Kahloke on Nov 22, 2009 17:13:19 GMT -8
I went on a road trip on a whim this last weekend. If I need an excuse, it's the "all the little ferries within 100 miles of the town I'm stuck in at the moment" tour. Anyway, this installment took me to the town of Cathlamet, WA, largest town in Wahkiakum County, to visit the ferry that crosses the Columbia River nearby. A couple of photos from the trip:   The M/V Wahkiakum is a 9-car ferry owned by Wahkiakum County crossing the Columbia River hourly between Puget Island, WA and Westport, OR. It's also 20 miles from my in-law's house, so I've been there before. 15 new pictures in the ferry section of my gallery at: www.bryankellar.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=44 |
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Post by Kahloke on Dec 18, 2010 10:38:17 GMT -8
One of the last remaining ferries on the Columbia River is the Wahkiakum County operation between Puget Island near Cathlamet, WA and and Westport, OR.  Enjoy! |
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Post by lmtengs on Mar 27, 2011 9:04:33 GMT -8
I rode the Puget Island-Westport ferry on the first day of my trip to Oregon. It was my first, and currently the only American ferry that I've ridden, and I guess I can say I've ridden a ferry in both Washington and Oregon! The Puget Island-Westport ferry is the last remaining ferry along the lower Columbia River. The MV Wahkiakum has been in service since 1962. An older man who was on the ferry with me who's lived on Puget Island his whole life told me a story about the ferry route, and I think it would be an interesting one to share: The ferry service started in 1925, and it was originally privately run, owned by a man and his wife. They also owned the telephone service to the island. In 1952, the couple divorced, and the man was forced to leave the ferry service to his wife, while he kept the telephone service. The wife promptly sold the original ferry to somebody up in Puget Sound, and the ferry service ended for about 10 years. As the ferry had been a lifeline for many area residents, who commuted to the mill on the south side of the river, the people who worked there either had to quit their jobs, buy their own boat, or make the long commute around through to Portland, or around the other way to Astoria. The wife became an instant celebrity and was booed off the island by angry residents. In 1962, as the other ferries along the Columbia started to be replaced by bridges, a new ferry became available, and the people of Puget Island convinced the government to relocate the ferry to the same route ran by the man and his ex-wife 10 years earlier. The government agreed to re-start the service there, and the island's commuters were happy once more. The guy sounded genuine when he was telling me the story. He also said his goal was to drive every bridge and ride every ferry along the Columbia by the time he dies. He only has two left now, up in BC, and he's going to try and get them ridden this summer.  |
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Rhody
Chief Steward
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Post by Rhody on Jun 13, 2011 8:14:28 GMT -8
Just rode the Wahkiakum, to say she is rudimentary would be an understatement, still I enjoyed the ride across the Columbia  |
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Post by EGfleet on Aug 24, 2011 9:43:23 GMT -8
Wahkiakum County to receive $2.8 million for new Columbia River ferryBy Greg Garrison / The Daily News | Posted: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 8:05 pm Wahkiakum County will receive $2.8 million in federal money to purchase a larger, more streamlined ferry that could be shuttling passengers across the Columbia River as early as 2013. The new ferry is one of 26 projects in the state that received a total of $25.9 million in Federal Highway Administration grants, which were announced Wednesday. The tiny county's ferry project was awarded the third-largest grant of all projects statewide. "We're just absolutely ecstatic," said county Public Works Director Pete Ringen. "I want somebody to pinch me to make sure it isn't a dream. It's just wonderful news." For years, county officials have been planning to buy a new ferry to replace the aging, 12-car vessel that currently transfers passengers between Puget Island and Westport, Ore. The county estimates that a replacement ferry will cost about $3.9 million. Ringen said the county plans to combine the federal grant with state funds to cover most of the cost, although he expects the county will have to pay a small portion. Ringen said he doesn't expect the county will need to raise fares to help pay for a new ferry. He said fuel costs should remain about the same and the new ferry won't require a larger crew. The new boat will hold 23 cars, and its larger deck will accommodate tour buses and larger trucks that can't fit on the current ferry, Ringen said. The passenger cabin are will be "substantially bigger," he said. The county completed work on a new, $2.8 million ferry landing in February 2010 The Puget Island ferry makes 18 daily trips across the river in each direction and transports dozens of workers to and from Georgia-Pacific's Wauna mill. The ferry becomes a critical mode of transportation for Wahkiakum County residents when landslides or road closures block State Route 4 between Cathlamet and Longview. The state covers about 80 percent of the cost of operating the ferry, while the county pays for the rest, mostly through revenue from fares. The fate of the current boat, which was built in the 1960s, remains uncertain. County officials have suggested holding onto the boat as a backup vessel, or possibly running both ferries simultaneously whenever SR4 is closed. Ringen said the county would need to calculate the cost of docking the older boat and keeping it operational.
New ferry specs
Estimated Cost: $3.9 million
Size: 115 feet long, 47 feet wide (Current boat: 76 feet by 38 feet)
Capacity: 23 carsEarliest it may be operational: Summer 2013 Read more: tdn.com/news/local/article_ee9942fe-c93f-11e0-89ff-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1Vy9WAwN7
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Post by BreannaF on Sept 2, 2011 21:06:09 GMT -8
Wahkiakum County to receive $2.8 million for new Columbia River ferryThe fate of the current boat, which was built in the 1960s, remains uncertain. County officials have suggested holding onto the boat as a backup vessel, or possibly running both ferries simultaneously whenever SR4 is closed. Ringen said the county would need to calculate the cost of docking the older boat and keeping it operational. And, of course, I'm sure that someone will be interested in (ahem) historical preservation! Or.... if it's too small to be a floating museum or a restaurant, at the very least it could be turned into a floating coffee stand! Surely something could be done to preserve it!  Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if a whole new group of people in a whole new place has this conversation before its over....... |
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 13, 2011 20:34:09 GMT -8
Here's the on-board experience of the mighty Wahkiakum, as recorded by yours truly during March, 2011: Here's a link to the same video on the Youtube site: |
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Post by SS San Mateo on Aug 16, 2013 8:27:39 GMT -8
County seeks new funds for ferry Published on Thu, Aug 15, 2013 by Rick Nelson Wahkiakum County commissioners rejected one bid and put another on hold Tuesday to look for more funding for construction of a new ferry for the Puget Island-Westport run. Commissioners had two bids last week for the construction project, both were over the engineer's estimate of $4.5 million. Nichols Brothers Boatbuilders was low bidder at $5.68 million and Diversified Marine was high at $7.15 million. On Tuesday, the board aproved the recommendation of Public Works Director Pete Ringen to reject the bid from Diversified and to ask Nichols Brothers to hold their bid 45 days while county officials seek additional funding. More at: www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2013-08-15_county_seeks_new_funds_for_ferry
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Oct 1, 2013 20:54:26 GMT -8
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SolDuc
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SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
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Post by SolDuc on Oct 25, 2013 16:25:59 GMT -8
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SolDuc
Voyager
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SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
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Post by SolDuc on Nov 1, 2013 14:37:50 GMT -8
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Post by Freeland on Nov 16, 2013 14:35:23 GMT -8
Nichols Bros got the contract according to today's South
Whidbey Record. What is interesting is the Wahkiakum Ferry was built by
Matt Nichols Grandfather Mark, when the Nichols Bros shipyard was in Oregon.
According to todays article the Ferry will hold 23 cars and 100 passengers.
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 15, 2014 20:50:57 GMT -8
Rode on the MV Wahkiakum today on our way back home from Cannon Beach. Here are my pics: Westport, Oregon side. The toll is all of $5 for you, your car, and any passenger in your car (it's all included), and the ferry schedule is posted on the sign. It leaves every hour on the 15's from this side.  MV Wahkiakum approaching the Westport, Oregon, side  Ferry ramp at Westport, OR  MV Wahkiakum's bridge   Gotta love the map  looking towards the south arm of the Columbia River from Westport Slough (Puget Island pretty much divides the river into two channels)  MV Wahkiakum chugging towards Puget Island  This little vessel even has its very own Oscar The Grouch  The Puget Island side   Welcome to Washington  |
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Post by BreannaF on Jul 7, 2014 22:36:21 GMT -8
A little late, but thanks for taking those last pictures. It has been a few years since I was over there, since this is the first time I have seen the new ferry docks on that run. Nice & shiny! I'll need to head that way to see it again after the new ferry gets there (scheduled for completion at Nichols Bros in February 2015). www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/depts/pw/ |
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Post by Scott2 on Jan 17, 2015 19:33:19 GMT -8
 Here's one of the recently launched Oscar B. soon to be delivered to Wahkiakum County to replace the current ferry Wahkiakum. |
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Post by Kahloke on Jan 17, 2015 20:25:16 GMT -8
Nice pic of MV Wahkiakum's replacement. Thanks for posting it!
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Jan 17, 2015 21:50:32 GMT -8
Here's one of the recently launched Oscar B. soon to be delivered to Wahkiakum County to replace the current ferry Wahkiakum. Nice work, Nichols Brothers. On top of this, NBBB has signed another contract with Vigor for a superstructure for the new WSF CHIMACUM. More details on the Oly thread after this one gets viewing attention. It'll be interesting to see if the OSCAR B sails to the Columbia River under her own power. |
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Post by Scott2 on Jan 18, 2015 16:40:00 GMT -8
I found it interesting that the existing ferry "Wahkiakum" was constructed in Hood River, Oregon by George Mark Nichols, grandfather of Matt Nichols, executive vice-president of Nichols Brothers in Freeland that constructed the replacement ferry "Oscar B". I too was wondering about getting it down here on the Columbia...it is a potentially rough trip at any time of the year, let alone now. I also see that it appears the props are only on one end....is this normal for smaller ferries? I would think it wouldn't be very maneuverable. I believe the Wahkiakum is set up this way, so it must work "ok", but if I remember right it operates "one way" except when docking.
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Jody
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Post by Jody on Feb 3, 2015 10:50:24 GMT -8
It's been a while since I rode the Wahkiakum, but when I was last there on the Oregon side, the operating plan had them coming in, docking, then turning in the basin and running out with the cars loaded "backwards" to cross over to Puget Island. Presumably, they turn and back into the dock there to unload, then load again with cars facing the "right" direction. It looks like the Oscar B. has been built effectively as a single-eneded ferry to that end, which makes me wonder if the Wahkiakum is as well.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Mar 2, 2015 22:06:10 GMT -8
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 2, 2015 23:03:23 GMT -8
What a nice story... a throwback to the days when ferry operations were a much more personal business than today. Thanks for that, FNS, and may the Oscar B rival its predecessor for service to its community. |
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 3, 2015 5:36:30 GMT -8
Very cool! I rode on its predecessor, MV Wahkiakum, for the first time last year. Now I'm going to have to get down there to try out Oscar B. This makes the 3rd new ferry for Columbia River service in, what, 2 years? MV Sanpoil joined the WSDOT fleet at the Keller crossing a couple of years ago. Last year we saw MV Columbia come online at the Galena-Shelter Bay crossing, and now we have Oscar B. on the lower Columbia.
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 19, 2015 19:12:47 GMT -8
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