Washington's ferry problems demand innovative solutions

Kitsap County is a ferry-dependent community. Nearly 40,000 riders use Washington State Ferries daily to commute to work, go to a ball game or visit the Olympic Peninsula on one of the four routes that serve ...

[Church Slave]

How about we do away with the ferry system and build a network of bridges. I like bridges.

[Rogerg]

Church Slave wrote:

How about we do away with the ferry system and build a network of bridges. I like bridges.

Most of the older ferries came from San Fransisco, after the bridges there were finished.

[Church Slave]

Rogerg wrote:

<quoted text>
Most of the older ferries came from San Fransisco, after the bridges there were finished.

Yes, I knew some did but I didn't know most. Like the Keystone/Pt Townsend ferry which is the oldest in the fleet. I think it was built in 1921 and ran between San Rafael and Frisco.

It was just taken out of service a few months ago. They have a new one commissioned and in the meantime they are running a small one borrowed from a coastal county I think.
You have to have a reservation to even get on it.

[Rogerg]

Church Slave wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, I knew some did but I didn't know most. Like the Keystone/Pt Townsend ferry which is the oldest in the fleet. I think it was built in 1921 and ran between San Rafael and Frisco.
It was just taken out of service a few months ago. They have a new one commissioned and in the meantime they are running a small one borrowed from a coastal county I think.
You have to have a reservation to even get on it.

Most of the older ferries are decommissioned. The Kalakala's present chief engineer is a very good friend of mine. Hopefully they will turn it into a museum, been on her many times. If you ever get the chance check it out and say Hi! to Christian for me.

[Church Slave]

Rogerg wrote:

<quoted text>
Most of the older ferries are decommissioned. The Kalakala's present chief engineer is a very good friend of mine. Hopefully they will turn it into a museum, been on her many times. If you ever get the chance check it out and say Hi! to Christian for me.

I will have to see which route they take the Kalakala. I was just on a Wa ferry about a week ago but I can't recall the name. I took the Mulkateo to Whitbey Island.
I think it was the Klickitat that ran the Keystone route. The funny thing is it was probably the smallest ferry but it tends to be the roughest route.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/03/was...

[Rogerg]

Church Slave wrote:

<quoted text>
I will have to see which route they take the Kalakala. I was just on a Wa ferry about a week ago but I can't recall the name. I took the Mulkateo to Whitbey Island.
I think it was the Klickitat that ran the Keystone route. The funny thing is it was probably the smallest ferry but it tends to be the roughest route.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/03/was...

I worked on that ferry, the Klickitat, a few years ago.
The Kalakala was decommissioned many years ago and has been through a couple of owners trying to get it turned into a museum since then. It was in Alaska and used as a fish processing plant for awhile, pitiful! She has the first commercially sold radar, first ferry to be made out of aluminum and copper, the first 220 volt gen set, looks like something from a Frankenstein movie, and many of the first innovations in the business.
Hope Paul Allen see's his way to save it.

[Church Slave]

Rogerg wrote:

<quoted text>
I worked on that ferry, the Klickitat, a few years ago.
The Kalakala was decommissioned many years ago and has been through a couple of owners trying to get it turned into a museum since then. It was in Alaska and used as a fish processing plant for awhile, pitiful! She has the first commercially sold radar, first ferry to be made out of aluminum and copper, the first 220 volt gen set, looks like something from a Frankenstein movie, and many of the first innovations in the business.
Hope Paul Allen see's his way to save it.

I guess we all just wear out sooner or later. Old betsy was getting holes here and there. You would think they could just resurface her like they do Nancy Pelosi and put her back into commission.
But then I guess metal fatigue after all those years of hard service might make it unsafe. Thanks for the info, I didn't know she was so full of history and innovations.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/archives/1998/9...

[Rogerg]

It wasn't me, I swear!!!!