Pierce County and the Washington State Department of Transportation agreed Sept. 18 on a plan to ensure continuous ferry service for both the state’s Port Townsend/Keystone route and the county’s route from Steilacoom to Anderson and Ketron islands. Pierce County’s ferry, the Steilacoom II, has been leased to WSDOT since February. The county will honor the lease through its expiration in August 2009, allowing the Steilacoom II to continue operating on the Port Townsend/Keystone route. The Christine Anderson, Pierce County’s other ferry, will continue service between Steilacoom and Anderson and Ketron islands.

WSDOT is moving forward to build two new 64-car ferries for the Port Townsend/Keystone route. Advertisement for potential bidders started on Sept. 10, and a bid opening is scheduled for Nov. 6.

In the meantime, the Steilacoom II is the only vessel that will work for the challenging conditions of the Port Townsend/Keystone route because of its controllable pitch propeller. WSDOT and Pierce County had hoped its older sister ship, the Christine Anderson, could begin serving the Port Townsend/Keystone route this fall so the Steilacoom II could return to service in Pierce County. However, vessels on the route must navigate the strong currents at the mouth of narrow and shallow Keystone Harbor. After a week of sea trials it was agreed by both parties that the Christine Anderson is not as well suited for the route as the Steilacoom II due to the Steilacoom II’s more advanced propulsion design.

“As much as we would like the quick return of the Steilacoom II, by honoring our lease agreement we can meet our South Puget Sound ferry needs without impacting the north sound communities,” said Toby Rickman, deputy director for Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Department. “We will continue to work with the state to manage this situation until the state’s new ferry is built.”

“We greatly appreciate the spirit of support Pierce County has demonstrated in this effort,” said David Moseley, assistant secretary of WSDOT’s Ferries Division. “We’re moving forward to build new vessels as quickly as possible and Pierce County continues to be a great partner to make sure we are able to continue service to Port Townsend and Whidbey Island in the meantime.”

“Our community greatly appreciates Pierce County’s generosity in allowing us to keep the Steilacoom II,” said Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval. “This is also welcome news for the people in Port Townsend who have been greatly impacted since the Steel Electrics were retired last year.”

“I know what sacrifice it is for the residents of Anderson and Ketron islands to loan us their boat,” said Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard, “I’m pleased that WSDOT and Pierce County have continued to work together to find solutions so all of our communities continue to have safe and reliable ferry service.”

The Christine Anderson will go into dry dock for scheduled maintenance today for approximately one month. During this time, WSDOT will loan the 48-car Rhododendron to Pierce County. It can carry about the same number of vehicles and twice as many passengers as the Christine Anderson. The Christine Anderson will return to local service in Pierce County when it comes out of dry dock in late October.

The 34-car ferry Hiyu will replace the Rhododendron on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route (Tacoma to south Vashon Island) beginning with the first sailing today. While capacity on the route is temporarily reduced, customers can expect longer wait times during busy commute periods. Ferry riders are advised to arrive early and to consider using the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route for travel to and from Vashon Island.

“It is our highest priority to provide a vessel to Pierce County whenever the Christine Anderson, is unavailable even if it means we have to adjust service throughout our system,” said Moseley. “I want to thank the Vashon community for their patience while we move vessels around to cover service both for WSDOT and Pierce County.”

Between now and August 2009, WSDOT will continue looking at alternatives for how to provide service for the Port Townsend/Keystone route. WSDOT expects the first new 64-car Island Home-style ferry will be ready for service on that route in Spring 2010.
For more information, visit the WSDOT Ferries Division Web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or Pierce County Ferry System at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/PC/abtus/ourorg/pwu/ferry/ferrymain.htm .