December 12, 2007

Hull corrosion across the class of all 4 Steel Electric car ferries in recent examinations resulted in an unknown extension of the time that the Olympic Peninsula at Port Townsend and Whidbey Island at Keystone car ferry runs will be suspended. While emergency options are being examined, estimates of the time to build a new ferry range in excess of one year.

Update: December 13 - Passenger ferry service to both Whidbey Island and Seattle from Port Townsend is being introduced, with four 90 minute passages to Seattle planned per day. A car ferry loan from Pierce County is also scheduled to begin in January to service Keystone/Whidbey Island and replace the current passenger ferry.

More info, schedule on TRANS page.

Traffic, browsing and visiting is down to the historic Port Townsend, while brainstorming is up. The Port Townsend Leader newspaper on Wednesday after the announcement of the change in plans published a roundup of ideas heard around the town …

Since we “locals” are known for our creativity, The Leader is asking readers to brainstorm ideas for how to manage without a car ferry between Port Townsend and Keystone. Email your ideas to news@ptleader.com, subject: Ferry Solutions. We’ll share the ideas with the powers that be.

Here are some ideas The Leader has heard in the last day:

Host more bicycle events.

Develop a concierge service so people can walk on the ferry at Keystone with luggage and be picked up here and delivered to their hotel or B&B or Fort Worden State Park. Also, it would allow day-trippers to drop off their bags and continue shopping or dining.

Elected officials - city, county and port - could donate a portion of their salaries to establish a fund that can be used to pay for new marketing ideas and projects.

Bring more of the small cruise ships to PT by enticing them with discounts and free moorage at the town dock.

Convince Washington State Ferries to give a price break to a Port Townsend marketing campaign through on-ferry advertising.

Promote alternative ways to get to Port Townsend: ferry from Victoria, airplane, transit, scenic Highway 101, and the Hood Canal Bridge, which really does not close that often.

Port Townsend, Port Hadlock, Port Ludlow and Quilcene/Brinnon Chamber of Commerce leaders - and those in Sequim and Port Angeles - need to talk about mutually beneficial marketing.

Expand Port Townsend’s marketing theme beyond the “Victorian Seaport” image and try something new.

Our idea of a theme is “Unusually Quiet” - truth in packaging. Ridership is down about 80% based on December figures. Ric Oltman, of Cape Cleare Fishery, is enjoying improved traffic conditions while troubled by the slowdown at restaurants. Fortunately, Cape Cleare fish caught over the past fishing season usually aren’t enough to last the year until his next return voyage.

FV CAPE CLEARE AT PORT TOWNSEND BOAT HAVEN

Ferry route and Whidbey Island in background.