There's no denying that a few of the vessels in the fleet look downright terrible right now--with the Hyak, captured by Matt Masuoka above, undoubtedly being the worst of the lot. The Chelan and Yakima also look awful, and their condition is causing comments to be made by coulmnists for the Times speaking on KUOW and the Candian press (in reference to the Chelan.)
Excuses can be made up to a point. There are a lack of vessels to go in for those that need to be painted at the moment, and conditions in the winter when there are generally a spare boat around really preclude painting.
However, when it was announced that the Spokane and Evergreen State were going to be painted next, one had to wonder if some how the conditions of the Hyak, Yakima and Chelan were even taken into consideration. The Spokane and Evergreen simply don't look that bad.
Paint might be a purely cosmetic issue, something I am sure that Washington State Ferries would be sure to point out. In addition, the boats mentioned that haven't been painted are such steady runners that they're not out of service ever for very long. However, that amount of rust causes very real perception problems. I've actually had people ask me if the vessels are safe because rust lead them to believe the vessel might not make it across the water. (!)
This should be another note sent off to the legislature to fund the ferry system. Washington State Ferries are the number one tourist draw in the state. As such, there should be a fleet of gleaming white vessels out there, with regularly scheduled vessel repainting, and not waiting until they look like the Hyak before justifying new paint. After a certain point it becomes more than just cosmetic issue as once the rust sets it, degredation of the steel begins.
Just because our vessels are "of a certain age" doesn't mean they have to look it, and for once it would be nice if the legislature would realize that there is such a thing as "proactive" maintenance instead of the "reactive" maintenace the ferry system has had to endure for so long.
Some cults hold that races of sentient or spiritual beings generally considered to be Lemurians superior to humans, live in or on Shasta, or visit the mountain.
*She had at least three names.
*She never worked for Washington State Ferries...though she worked a route the system later took over.
*She ended her days outside of Washington waters, and her whereabouts are currently unknown.
Good luck! EMAIL
Email me your photos of ferryboat or scenic photos, past or present from Washington, Oregon,
California, Alaska or British Columbia and I'll post it on the site!
A glorious sunset on Puget Sound is captured by Matt Masuoka. WIth the recent heatwave we've had, the sun might have work out its welcome for many in the area. Having had four feet deep snow drifts in the yard last winter, I'm personally trying hard not to complain!
Thanks Matt and Mike for the photos!
PD-T= Point Defiance-Tahlequah
SVF= Southworth-Vashon Fauntleroy
S-B= Seattle-Bremerton
S-BI= Seattle-Bainbridge Island (Winslow)
S-V= Seattle-Vashon (passenger only)
K-E= Kingston-Edmonds
C-M= Clinton Mukilteo
PT-K= Port Townsend-Keystone
SJI= San Juan Islands
II= Inter-Island, San Juan Islands
S-A= Steilacoom- Anderson Island
PT-E = Port Townsend-Edmonds
EH--Eagle Harbor, WSF repair yard.
Rhododendron:
PD-T
Evergreen State Class:
E.G. State:
SJI interisland.
Klahowya
out for drydocking rest of summer.
Tillikum:
in service @ SVF
Hiyu:
Standby
Super Class:
Hyak:
S-B
Yakima:
#2 boat, SJI
Kaleetan:
Boat #5 SJI
Elwha:
Boat # 3 SJI
Jumbo Class:
Spokane :
K-E.
Walla Walla:
Dockside maintenance rest of summer.
Issaquah Class:
Issaquah
@ SVF
Kitsap:
@ S-B
Kittitas
@ C-M
Cathlamet
@ C-M
Chelan:
#1 Boat, SJI-Sidney
Sealth
FVS
Jumbo Mark II's
Tacoma
@ S-BI
Wenatchee
@ S-BI
Puyallup
@ K-E
Monohulls:
Skagit
@ S-V Kalama in backup.
Boats On Loan:
Steilacoom II :
PT-K
