PORT TOWNSEND — While preparations continue for the new MV Chetzemoka ferry to begin service on Aug. 30, its sister ship has received a name.
The Washington State Transportation Commission announced this week that the MV Salish will be in service some time within the next year, resulting in two boats for the route between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island for the first time since November 2007.
The commission voted another modification, changing the name of the Whidbey Island destination point from Keystone to Coupeville.
Keystone Harbor is about four miles from downtown Coupeville, which is the Island County seat.
The ferry name, Salish, was officially sponsored by the San Juan County Council and also recommended by Port Townsend resident Tom Thiersh, a member of the Jefferson County Ferry Advisory Committee.
Salish refers to the Coast Salish people of Washington, Oregon and British Columbia and is also the geographical name of the inland marine sea composed of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound.
The commission also announced a name for another ferry under construction. Kennewick will be used in the San Juan Islands.
The name, sponsored by the city of Kennewick, is word with several native meanings: “winter paradise,” “winter haven,” “grassy place” and “grassy slope.”
Names considered but rejected included Ak-ki, Kulshan, Lushoot, Tokitae and Cowlitz.
The names selected for the first ferry of this class of boats, as well as the name of the class itself, have local connections.
The Chetzemoka was named for a S’Klallam chief, who was buried in 1888 at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Townsend.
Port Townsend’s Chetzemoka Park, overlooking Admiralty Inlet and the ferry route to Whidbey Island, was dedicated in his name in 1904.
The ferry class, Kwa-di Tabil, was named by a Blue Heron Middle School fourth-grade class in Port Townsend, which won the state’s ferry classification naming contest.
The new ferries will be able to carry 64 cars and up to 750 passengers, according to the Washington State Ferries website.
The combined budget for the three ferries is $211 million.
The Chetzemoka, built in Seattle and now being outfitted in Everett, will make largely ceremonial runs across Admiralty Inlet between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island on the Sunday, Aug. 29, debut date.
It is scheduled to begin regular service the next day.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
