PORT TOWNSEND — The American Spirit cruise ship, which had to anchor in Port Townsend Bay last week, was able to dock at Union Wharf on Wednesday afternoon.
The ship attempted to dock there May 1 but was unable to do so, and passengers were shuttled from the ship on tenders.
The 205-foot American Spirit was said to be too large to dock at Union Wharf. Although the captain had measured the ship and the wharf, the tie-up points did not match with the boat’s cleats.
But this week, docking was attempted in clear weather and during the day, and the tie-up was successful.
In addition to the weather and the daylight, the dock was extended with the installation of a float that allowed the cleats to line up, according to Port of Port Townsend Deputy Director Jim Pivarnik.
The cruise ship stop was the second of 13 planned this year by American Cruise Lines, which is offering passengers eight-day Puget Sound cruises.
The Port Townsend stop follows one in Port Angeles, which was Monday.
The ship is expected to leave Port Townsend at 4 a.m. Friday and continue on to Poulsbo before returning to Seattle.
The next stops in Port Townsend after this Wednesday will be May 22 and 29; Sept. 11, 18 and 25; and Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
The ship will visit Port Angeles this Monday and May 20 and 27; Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30; and Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28.
While last week’s inaugural cruise had 40 passengers on the 100-passenger-capacity ship, 55 passengers were expected on this week’s cruise.
The passengers were offered tours of Port Townsend and of Fort Worden State Park, as well as entertainment.
In Port Angeles, passengers could take tours of the downtown “underground,” Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, among other activities.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
