WA Ferry problem - Coupeville

[frankdamp]

Just saw a report on the Seattle Times web-site that one of the boats on the Coupeville - Port Townsend route ran aground and suffered hull damage approaching the Coupeville dock. It's being repaired at Coupeville and the dock is occupied, making it impossible for another ferry to dock.

The route is closed down and I haven't seen any notification how long it may remain closed.

[frankdamp]

It is a tricky channel to negotiate. It's dredged and quite narrow. The un-dredged seabed close by is quite shallow.

We've used that run quite a lot, often as walk-ons for a shopping trip to PT. The skippers are usually very careful on approach to Keystone. If the rudder quits working, there's not a lot the captain can do! If that's what happened on an almost new ship, you have to wonder about the quality of construction.

[Pangaea_Ron]

We had driven from Anacortes to Keystone (not even close to Coupeville) on Wednesday morning on our way to the Olympic Peninsula. We had reservations for the 8:45a ferry, but were notified about at least a 2 ferry delay as were were driving through Camp Casey. We got in line 8 cars from check-in and was told that the run was now delayed indefinitely. They said the the rudder system had failed, the boat hit ground and needed the Coast Guard to arrive and evaluate the situation, and it could take many hours. We had friends waiting for the ill-fated run before us and saw the ferry hit ground at least twice before arriving at the dock. They chose to take the Clinton-Mukilteo, and then the Edmonds-Kingstone route taking even more time and $$$ than us.

We then pulled out of line and took the Edmonds-Kingston ferry ($20 more and 3 extra hours of driving). We talked with some staff at the Edmonds terminal and they referred to the Port Townsend-Keystone staff as buffoons. I can't speak to that allegation, but it does seem that there are lots of issues on that run. Our run home today went well and we were positioned at the front of the boat for a great view.

[frankdamp]

When we decided to move from Everett after I retired from Boeing, we considered both Camano and Whidbey Islands. In the end, we decided on Anacortes. It has Cascade Natural Gas distribution and city water, which were not present everywhere in the two islands.

Also it was a definite "city", with locally controlled schools, a good quality hospital and other municipal services. We're very happy with our decision.

[frankdamp]

When we decided to move from Everett after I retired from Boeing. we considered both Camano and Whidbey Islands. In the end, we decided on Anacortes. It has Cascade Natural Gas distribution and city water, which were not present everywhere in the two islands.

Also it was a definite "city", with locally controlled schools, a good quality hospital and other municipal services. We're very happy with our decision.

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:

bikendan wrote:
this kind of stuff, along with ferry fees, is why we chose Camano Island to live.
has a land bridge, so no ferry fees or issues.

but i do love Whidbey.

And how is the traffic Monday morning off the island and back on Friday afternoon? We do like the pizza at Jim's in Stanwood.

Chris

At least there are back roads to Jimmy's so we don't have to fight the Camano Island people. 😉

[Cummins12V98]

bikendan wrote:
this kind of stuff, along with ferry fees, is why we chose Camano Island to live.
has a land bridge, so no ferry fees or issues.

but i do love Whidbey.

OH so you are one of those that clog up the Stanwood traffic! :B

[bikendan]

Me Again wrote:

bikendan wrote:
this kind of stuff, along with ferry fees, is why we chose Camano Island to live.
has a land bridge, so no ferry fees or issues.

but i do love Whidbey.

And how is the traffic Monday morning off the island and back on Friday afternoon? We do like the pizza at Jim's in Stanwood.

Chris

Well, I'm retired so I don't have to deal with it. :B

[Me_Again]

bikendan wrote:
this kind of stuff, along with ferry fees, is why we chose Camano Island to live.
has a land bridge, so no ferry fees or issues.

but i do love Whidbey.

And how is the traffic Monday morning off the island and back on Friday afternoon? We do like the pizza at Jim's in Stanwood.

Chris

[bikendan]

this kind of stuff, along with ferry fees, is why we chose Camano Island to live.
has a land bridge, so no ferry fees or issues.

but i do love Whidbey.

[Me_Again]

It is worst than that. If you walk the way the state directs you from the Keystone Ferry landing it is 8.7 miles to coupeville. If one has local knowledge to go through Fort Casey it is 4 miles to Coupeville. Oh yeah, and the state sends you .8 miles past the Ferry terminal to turn you around and get you in line, so coming from the North in a car it is 6.3 miles longer to follow the state's preferred route, as their signs to the ferry are at State route 20 and W Wanamaker Rd.

Chris

[seaeagle2]

Anybody else see the irony of renaming it the "coupeville" ferry, if you walked on in PT thinking you'd end up in Coupeville, you'd have quite a walk from Keystone.....

[ScottG]

Odd that it wasn't on the news :?

[frankdamp]

UPDATE:

I cross-checked the Ferry system website and there was no mention of this problem. when I took another look at the T website, I noticed the story was dated 08 July.