WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES

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Temporary ferry slip explained

posted 02/23/05
Why did Washington State Ferries decide to install a temporary ferry slip during the reconstruction of the Friday Harbor ferry terminal dock? "Mainly so you could have ferry service," WSF Interim CEO Mike Anderson said.

San Juan County Commissioner Rhea Miller asked the question during a Feb. 22 worksession between the commissioners and Anderson and state Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald. "I've heard a lot of bad publicity about WSF because this slip went in temporarily," she said. "People cannot believe it will come out again."

Anderson explained, before the main slip was torn apart, the tie-up slip was made into a temporary loading slip so ferry service could continue during the reconstruction. An old slip from Clinton was used. "I do know this was the cheapest option," Anderson said.

The original plan called for the addition of a second permanent slip. After objections from the Town of Friday Harbor Mayor Gary Boothman, WSF reconsidered the project and decided to go with the cheapest option.

WSF obtained permits for a temporary structure rather than a permanent slip. The temporary slip was to be removed this month (Feb. 2005). The construction schedule now requires WSF to leave the temporary slip in place throughout the summer, according to Anderson.

Once the temporary slip is removed, the tie-up slip will be reconstructed. The cost to do so is budgeted at $800,000. To make the slip permanent would cost $2.4 million now and another $3 million 10 years from now, according to Anderson. The configuration of the temporary slip is not the one WSF would have used if they were planning on making it permanent.

One option for the future is to spend $6.9 million on a hydraulic slip which wouldn't block the view. Such a project is not currently on WSF's 10-year capital plan, Anderson said.

Before WSF would consider building a permanent second slip, the infrastructure in the Town of Friday Harbor would need to be improved to handle traffic more efficiently, Anderson said.

San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee Chair Bob Distler said, "We need to step up to the issue." He believes the lengthly unloading time in Friday Harbor impacts the entire Anacortes/San Juans route. "The (state Transportation) department has committed its expertise to refreshing and renewing the intermodal plan," he said.

Second slip not completely dead

posted 03/30/04
Friday Harbor Mayor Gary Boothman's opposition was a factor in Washington State Ferries decision not to construct a second slip at Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal. But financial considerations were the overriding factor, WSF Director of Operations Mike Anderson told the San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee at its March 25, 2004 meeting. "It would be beneficial if we had a more consistent voice from the community," he said. "We tried to evaluate what the community wanted."

Boothman expressed his opposition during a scoping meeting which was part of the planning process.

San Juan County Commissioner John Evans brought up the topic at the SJFAC meeting. He suggested WSF make the temporary slip, which will be built and used for construction, permanent. "Most of us out here understand the importance and the need of a second slip," he said.

The temporary slip cannot be built as a permanent slip as part of the construction process which begins in mid-July. WSF would need permits to do that. Because the temporary slip will be used only during the reconstruction of the main slip, permits weren't necessary. The design of the reconstruction project does not preclude construction of a second slip in the future.

Anderson said the decision not to build a second slip was made before he was hired. "As an operations person, I would have fought tooth and nail for a second slip," he said. WSF would have more flexibility in scheduling with an additional slip in Friday Harbor.

While it is too late to add a second slip as part of the upcoming reconstruction project, Anderson did say community input could make a difference in future WSF decisions regarding when or if a second slip is built. WSF Director of Communications Pat Patterson said emails can be sent to emails can be sent to schorrc@wsdot.wa.gov

SJFAC Chair Bob Distler said, "The whole county is wholeheartedly behind a second slip. Rest assured the Gary Boothman memorial slip is very much alive."

Town Council asks WSF for second slip

posted 02/09/04
Friday Harbor Town Councilmembers will try to change Washington State Ferries decision regarding a permanent second slip at Friday Harbor ferry terminal. The council agreed with councilmember Howard Rosenfeld suggestion to send a letter to WSF expressing the desire to have two slips. WSF is planning on building a temporary second slip and tearing it down after reconstruction is finished on the first. If WSF won't change plans and make a permanent second slip, the council would at least like the ferry system to leave the temporary slip up as many years as possible.

Council questions one-slip decision by WSF

posted 01/14/04
Friday Harbor Town Councilmembers approved a shoreline use permit for reconstruction by Washington State Ferries of the ferry slip and raised questions about whether two slips wouldn't be better than the single one in the plan. The council was unaware that in meetings with WSF, Mayor Gary Boothman had "been pretty adamant about not having two slips" according to WSF staff.

The renovation includes constructing a temporary ramp on the present tie-up slip which will be used for vehicular traffic while the main slip is rebuilt. The temporary ramp will be torn down once the work on the main slip is completed. Town Attorney Don Eaton asked if the slip couldn't be made permanent, providing Friday Harbor with a back-up slip.

WSF had considered having two slips capable of handling vehicular traffic but dropped the idea partly because of objections by citizens, according to Project Manager Carl Torres. People raised concerns over more ferries or bigger boats. After hearing the objections and reconsidering the costs, WSF opted not to build two permanent slips.

Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld said, "I can't imagine anybody who lived here a while and can’t understand this is our lifeline. We would love to have any improvement be it an additional tie up spot or what. I don’t know where you are getting the other impression, maybe from people living in woods who are not coming out much. The majority of people here are very supportive of the ferry service.

Councilmember Carrie Brooks said, "Whoever was testifying saying that (two slips) would bring growth to the island, wasn’t thinking as an islander. We could use more ferries, use more business, more tourists...I can't believe anyone would testify the opposite way. It just shocks me."

In a phone interview Wednesday, Boothman said he had told WSF he was against the ferry service parking a big ferry in Friday Harbor. Currently the inter-island ferry is docked overnight at the tie-up slip. The inter-island ferry carries 75 cars, Super Class ferries carry 160 cars. Boothman said he told WSF they should speak to others such as the Cannery Landing condo owners or the Town Council. As far as he knows, WSF did not contact them.

Asked if he opposed a second slip, he said he did. "An extra slip is not a high priority," he said. He favored more reliable ferries that wouldn't break down. Redundancy was not important, according to Boothman. Referring to September 1999 when the Elwha crashed into the Orcas terminal and knocked out service for weeks, he said. "Orcas Island survived without their terminal and ferry service. We don't have redundancy on everything."

While the renovation plans do not include a second vehicle slip, they don't preclude the possibility in the future. According to San Juan Island Ferry Advisory Committee chair Bob Distler a second slip would allow WSF more flexibility. For example, under the present schedule, the late boat on Saturday does not come to Friday Harbor. If a slip was available the ferry could travel to Friday Harbor and dock there overnight. The two-slip concept did not mean more traffic or bigger boats, he said.

$15 million in repairs
for Friday Harbor terminal

updated 10/30/02 posted 10/24/02
Washington State Ferries (WSF) $15.5 million plan to repair and improve Friday Harbor terminal includes new transfer span and towers, pedestrian walkway, trestle, wing dolphins and restrooms. There will be a rebuilt bulkhead and tie-up slip trestle. Wingwalls will be relocated.

The public is invited to learn more about plans for the repair project at an Open House from 6 to 7:30 p.m. November 6, 2002 at the Mullis Community Senior Center, 589 Nash Street in Friday Harbor. Earlier the same day, an Open House will be held aboard the inter-island run departing Lopez at 3:45 p.m., with stops at Shaw, Orcas and Friday Harbor.

To minimize disruption in service, the tie-up slip will be temporarily converted for vehicle use while repairs are performed on the main dock. Work on the tie-up slip will take place in July of 2004. In the fall of 2004, WSF will begin repairing and replacing worn-out parts at the main Friday Harbor ferry slip. Repair of the main slip will be completed in January of 2005 and the tie-up slip will revert back to its original use.

The design does not preclude having two vehicle slips in the future according to Nicole McIntosh, WSF PE Marine Project Engineer. Because the plans extend beyond the current footprint, extensive permitting will be required.

To submit comments, please contact Celia Schorr, Friday Harbor Project, WSF, 2911 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121. Phone: (206) 515-3918.

LARGER VERSION OF PREFERRED DESIGN

WSF hits town's sewer pipe

posted 03/08/02
State workers drilling test holes for Washington State Ferries accidently put two 5-inch holes dead center through an 8-inch sewer main in the water off of Friday Harbor in February. Before the break was discovered, 3,650,000 gallons of seawater flowed through the town's wastewater treatment plant and an estimated 350,000 gallons of raw sewage leaked into the bay.

WSF did not know it hit the pipe. Wednesday, Feb. 20 raw sewage was spotted billowing out of the main coming into pump station No. 1. Divers hired by the town checked the submarine main and discovered the break Thursday morning (Feb. 21). Repairs were completed by 3 p.m. that day.

Town Administrator King Fitch contacted the state Department of Ecology and local public health officials to inform them of the incident. Talks are underway with WSF to pay for damages to the town.

The drilling was being done for the planned improvements to the ferry dock in 2004.

Friday Harbor terminal work planned

posted 11/05/01
Friday Harbor may end up with two terminal slips capable of loading and off-loading vehicles. Washington State Ferries is planning on rebuilding the slip in 2004. Since it cannot shut down service during the reconstruction, work will be done on the existing tie up slip so it can be used for vehicle loading. Whether this is done in a temporary way or a permanent way will depend on costs and on community input.

When faced with a similar situation on Bainbridge Island, WSF officials said the community did not want an extra slip. (Bainbridge has two slips and turned down a third one.) In response to the community, WSF just used temporary measures. Meetings will be held in Friday Harbor to inform the community and to gather input from residents.

An interim project will take place this fall. According to WSF Director of Terminal Engineering Russ East some repairs needed on the bridge seat cannot wait until 2004. The work will be done in two phases -- one phase involves lashing and the second one will involve underwater work.

The Town of Friday Harbor will see benefits beyond a rebuilt terminal slip. Pat Patterson, WSF director of Public Affairs said the contractors will be paying applicable sales tax to the town.

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