KINGSTON — Port of Kingston commissioners have approved the purchase of a second passenger ferry for its planned route to Seattle from Port Angeles-based Victoria Rapid Transit, also known as Victoria Express, at a cost of $650,000.
Jack Harmon, president of Victoria Rapid Transit Inc., which also does business as Victoria Express, said that his company’s sale of the 147-passenger ferry MV Victoria Express to the Port of Kingston, which the port approved in a special meeting Friday, would not affect operations this summer season.
He said that the company would have to consider the purchase of another vessel in the future.
Harmon said for now “nothing changes” at his business, which operates Victoria Express and the Victoria Express II, providing 55-minute crossings of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, and also taking passengers to Friday Harbor.
This year’s first sailings will be on May 28.
Early October
The port would not use the Victoria Express until the port begins Kingston-Seattle passenger ferry operations in early October. Kingston is 30 miles from Port Townsend and about 60 miles from Port Angeles.
Port of Kingston commissioners said that the 105-foot vessel will complement the port’s first ferry purchased two weeks ago, the 149-seat Spirit of Kingston.
Port of Kingston Commissioners Marc Bissonnette, Tom Coultas and Pete DeBoer unanimously voted to approve the purchase of a second vessel for the port’s upcoming passenger-only ferry service.
Victoria Express is a 105-foot, medium-speed passenger vessel built by Neuville Boat Works of Loreauville, La.
The ferry is powered by triple diesel engines and can reach speeds of more than 20 knots.
“This is going to guarantee the reliability of our passenger-only service and its success,” said Bissonnette.
The Spirit of Kingston, a 72-foot catamaran ferry with a hydrofoil smooth-cruise system, was hoisted out of the water at the Port of Port Townsend boat yard earlier this month for an inspection, which it passed.
The Port of Kingston this month bought the Spirit of Kingston, which was built and launched five years ago by All American Marine in Bellingham.
It has most recently been used in Juneau, Alaska, as passenger route ferry.
Port of Port Townsend
The Port of Kingston’s purchases for their operation comes as the Port of Port Townsend commissioners are in early discussions about the prospect of getting into the passenger ferry business with contracted private operator, possibly offering runs to Seattle seven days a week, but depending on demand.
The Port of Port Townsend has applied for a $1 million federal transportation appropriation to possibly finance the purchase of a used passenger ferry.
The port is working through the office of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Freeland, to secure the appropriation. Port officials are optimistic that the funding would be approved.
Port of Kingston commissioners are making their capital investments in part with a $3.5 million Federal Transportation Administration grant that the agency received about two years ago to establish regular runs from that port’s passenger dock on the waterfront in downtown Seattle.
The Spirit of Kingston cruises at 35 knots and should make the run one-way in 35 minutes, given calm weather and sea conditions.
The Port of Kingston passenger ferry service, as proposed, would offer two commuter runs in the morning and two in the afternoon and Monday through Friday.
Port of Kingston officials have mentioned possibly offering weekend runs from Port Townsend to Seattle, but no formals discussions have taken place between that port and the city of Port Townsend.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
