COUPEVILLE — As soon as the Steilacoom II left the dock for its 1:30 p.m. sailing Monday, an announcement came over the public address system.
It warned passengers of rough waters and advised motorcyclists to ride the ferry on the car decks along with their bikes — in case the turbulence got too severe.
There were no disasters on this particular crossing, and everything arrived in Port Townsend intact.
“This crossing is very unpredictable,” said Capt. Mark Haupt.
“We sometimes calculate the tides and predict a certain outcome, but it ends up to either be more severe or less severe than we expect.”
Original plans had the Steilacoom II returning home to Pierce County by now — to be replaced by the new MV Chetzemoka as the new kid on the Port Townsend to Coupeville block.
Even the former Port Townsend-Keystone route had a new destination moniker — Coupeville — for the Chetzemoka, to reflect the nearest town to the Whidbey Island ferry landing.
But early sea trials of the Chetzemoka discovered an instability in the propeller, corrected through a computer software adjustments, according to the Washington State Ferries.
The hand-off of ferry boats is now uncertain, but it is expected to occur approximately six weeks after the larger boat is accepted by the state.
Pending the outcome of a series of tests administered by the Coast Guard, the transfer to state ownership could occur this week.
Both Port Townsend and Coupeville had planned celebrations for the Chetzemoka’s planned Aug. 29 debut but were forced to postpone these events until further notice.
So the 50-car Steilacoom II — smaller than the Chetzemoka and built for the calmer waters of Tacoma Narrows than those of Admiralty Inlet — will continue to and from Port Townsend into October.
Haupt has worked full time for Washington State Ferries since 1978 and has worked on the crew of every boat. He is now one of three watch commanders on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route.
He was a member of that crew in 2007, when the four 80-year-old Steel Electric-class ferries were permanently retired for safety reasons and replaced by the Steilacoom II.
Haupt expects to continue on the crew as the Chetzemoka is brought into service, whenever that may be.
Haupt said Monday he has yet to pilot the Chetzemoka but expects to be involved in the sea trials scheduled to take place in Bainbridge Island’s Eagle Harbor before facing the “trial by water,” Keystone Harbor.
“This route has everything to do with getting in and out of Keystone,” Haupt said.
“When we go in and out of the harbor, we will decide whether to go against the current or go along with it.”
With the unpredictability of the harbor, some days it will be one and some days it will be the other, he said.
Haupt said those testing the Chetzemoka will take “baby steps” to determine how to manage the route.
Even though Haupt is unfamiliar with piloting the new boat, he is already aware of several safety and operational advantages it will have over to what passengers on this route are now accustomed.
There will be an open, covered observation deck that will allow passengers to enjoy the view without penalty of wind as well as a mezzanine.
There will be a special part of the boat to store up to 90 bicycles, instead of the random current arrangement of placing them in front of or behind the cars.
There will be backup steering and power systems, as well as a separate fuel tank.
As a larger ferry than the Steilacoom II — 760 walk-on passengers instead of 335, and 70 cars instead of 50 — the Chetzemoka will better handle the rough tides.
While the Chetzemoka will increase service quality on many levels, it will be more so once the second ship, MV Salish, is added to the route.
The Salish, a duplicate of the Chetzemoka now under construction, is scheduled to go into service sometime next summer.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
