Kingston-to-Seattle ferry offers new deals
PORT KINGSTON — The Kingston-to-Seattle passenger-only ferry is back but with a new plan to make the ferry line’s second try work.When the two ferries are not running weekday-scheduled commuter trips, they will do just about anything for anyone.
That includes charter trips, weddings, tours, loans to other ferry services, sponsored events, Saturday runs or sporting event trips, SoundRunner General Manager Meisha Rouser told about 40 members of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday.
The new ferry service, which began service in May, is also considering a partnership with a bus or tour company or purchasing its own tour buses to take visitors from Seattle to the North Olympic Peninsula for day trips to Olympic National Park, Fort Worden or tribal history centers, Rouser said.
SoundRunner learned lessons from the failed Aqua Express ferry service, which operated for 10 months in 2005, she said.
The start-up ferry service is starting small, with limited runs and financial support from the Port of Kingston.
Both of the SoundRunner ferries are owned free and clear, so the ferry can concentrate on maintaining operations, she said.
Two passenger ferries
SoundRunner Ferry, owned by the Port of Kingston, used a $3.5 million federal grant to purchase two 150-passenger vessels — the catamaran Spirit of Kingston and the Kingston Express, which was formerly the Victoria Express.
The Spirit of Kingston — a 65-foot catamaran built in 2005 at All American Marine in Bellingham — cruises on a hydrofoil between its dual hulls.
The hydrofoil lifts it to improve fuel efficiency.
The Kingston Express is a 93-foot single-hull vessel built in 1981 by Neuville Boat Works in New Iberia, La.
It has a capacity of up to 150 passengers, with a cruising speed of 18 knots and a maximum speed of nearly 25 knots.
The service started with 21 regular commuters but plans to expand its service by 10 additional regular passengers every month.
“Why take a bus to Port Angeles instead of ferrying passengers via a water route?” an audience member asked.
The Kingston ferries don’t have landing rights at Port Angeles, Rouser said.
“What is in it for Port Angeles and Sequim residents?” another audience member asked.
Port Angeles Ferries - News
That includes charter trips, weddings, tours, loans to other ferry services, sponsored events, Saturday runs or sporting event trips, SoundRunner General Manager Meisha Rouser told about 40 members of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce on
Victoria artist Ian Morris waits for the wind to stop blowing his chalk away in front of The Landing mall in Port Angeles on Thursday afternoon. His sea-monster image is supposed to be done Saturday morning, but stiff breezes have made it difficult for
It's part of a Department of Homeland Security building program that's also constructing Border Patrol stations in the former Eagles lodge building in Port Angeles as well as in Colville in northeast Washington and Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Ressam was on his way to bomb Los Angeles International Airport when he was nabbed in Port Angeles Dec. 14, 1999, by US Customs inspectors shortly after driving off the Port Angeles-Victoria ferry, MV Coho. “Because of Ressam, they pinpointed this area
Photo by Keith Thorpe/ News By Rob Ollikainen PORT ANGELES — Fred Pinckney sent fruit baskets to the crew of the MV Coho ferry earlier this month. “I thought a case of beer would not go over well with management,” said Pinckney, 64,
Low tides alter 15 Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry runs -- Port ...
PORT TOWNSEND— Fifteen ferry sailings on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route have been canceled due to low tides that impede passage of the large vessels in and out of Keystone Harbor.
Seven additional sailings were added to the route to compensate for the cancellations.
Ferries spokeswoman Susan Harris-Huether said the cancellations are planned on a quarterly basis and are based on tide tables that are forecast in advance.
By using these tables, the ferry system is able to predict which sailings will need to be canceled, she said.
The 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. sailings from Port Townsend were canceled Thursday and again today, with 5:50 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. sailings added.
According to a posting on the Washington State Ferries website, http://tinyurl.com/4mta2j2 , extreme ebb tide currents of 3.5 knots or more cause steering and control problems for ferries entering Keystone Harbor.
Steering is crucial while entering the narrow end of a teardrop-shaped harbor such as Keystone, and extreme currents can increase the danger of going aground.
As the bow of the boat passes the entrance to the harbor, the stern, still in the current, is buffeted and pushed north, making it difficult to maintain course.
The state ferries’ solution is to determine when the current is 3.5 knots or greater and schedule accordingly.
Harris-Huether said the system works and that the traveling public understands the concern for safety and appreciates the opportunity to plan ahead and minimize the inconvenience.
After today, the ferry schedule will be amended on three days.
On Saturday, the 9:30 a.m. sailing from Port Townsend and the 10:15 a.m. sailing from Coupeville will be canceled.
On July 30, the 8 a.m. sailing from Port Townsend and the 8:45 a.m. sailing from Coupeville will be canceled.
On July 31, the 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. sailings from Port Townsend and the 7:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. sailings from Coupeville will be canceled.
On that date, rescheduled sailings for Port Townsend will leave at 6:10 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. and from Coupeville at 6:55 a.m.
For more schedule information, visit http://tinyurl.com/5trslk7 .
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com .
Port Angeles Ferries - Bookshelf
Frommer's Washington State
Two ferries, one for foot passengers only and the other for vehicles and foot pas- sengers, connect Port Angeles and Victoria, British Columbia. ...Washington Off the Beaten Path, 8th, A Guide to Unique Places
Quick Guide to Victoria and Vancouver Island, British Columbia Getting to Victoria from Port Angeles is easy. Park at the Port Angeles ferry terminal and ...Frommer's National Parks with Kids
ARRIVING BY CAR OR FERRY To Port Angeles from Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport or other mainland points north or east, you can choose the fun way or the fast way. ...Frommer's Family Vacations in the National Parks
A Washington State Ferry also connects Victoria Island, British Columbia, to Seattle. ... To go north, join US 101 there and follow it to Port Angeles. ...Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria 2010, With Whistler. With Foldout Map
Three different US ferry services offer daily, year-round connections between Port Angeles, Bellingham, or Seattle, Wash., and Victoria. ...Everyday Posts Directory
Coho Ferry
Ferry service year round to Victoria, BC from Port Angeles.
Victoria Rapid Transit
Carries foot passenger traffic to Victoria, BC from Port Angeles.
Ferries & Travel Info~Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce
Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Local business directory, local activities, things to see and do, places to stay, places to eat.
Port Angeles Ferries | Ferries in Port Angeles, WA - YP.com
Find ferries & Ferries in Port Angeles, WA. Read business reviews, find driving directions, and more. ferries on YP.com.
Port Angeles Ferries~Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce ...
Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Local business directory, local activities, things to see and do, places to stay, places to eat.