Chetzemoka Getaway Winners Rave
The winners of the Chetzemoka Ferry Giveaway are raving about their ferry trips on the new vessel, as well as their getaways in Port Townsend and Whidbey Island. Gaile writes: “The weekend get-away couldn’t have been better. The room at the Bishop Victorian Hotel was utterly charming, and our cabin at the Captain Whidbey Inn was adorable. I loved seeing Port Townsend — such a fascinating town! Coupeville was great, as well, and I especially liked how the architecture of the two towns was like “a trip through history.” First you have the Victorian brick buildings of PT, and then the clapboard New England whaling village look of Coupleville’s Front Street. Love it! I listened to the (post-contest) radio ad, and I think you’ve hit on a great idea — suggesting that folks combine the two towns and take the ferry between, because the whole experience really makes for a great, varied, and relaxing weekend. You really feel as if you’ve been “away from it all” even in just two days. “ Jerri writes: “I wanted you to know how much we enjoyed the trip. The Chetzemoka is a beautiful ferry. what a fun and lovely way to travel between two wonderful cities. It was fascinating to learn some of the history of Port Townsend and Whidbey Island, by way of spending the night in a piece of it. the staff of both hotels were excellent in accommodating us with everything we desired. We had a great time in both towns and got a lot of great pictures. I feel that it was very historically informative and culturally enlightening. I would definitely return…” Thanks to both couples for letting us know about their time in our neck of the woods!
Port Towsnend - Whidbey Island Ferry Schedule
The MV Chetzemoka is now on the job, ferrying passengers and vehicles between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island. View the current WSDOT sailing schedule for Chetzemoka, or make a trip reservation.
Port Townsend Thanks Pierce County
In a spirit of appreciation, the City of Port Townsend has commissioned local artist Max Grover to create a painting to give to Pierce County officials as a formal thank you for use of the Steilacoom II ferry since January 2008.
“We are deeply grateful to Pierce County for their willingness to let Washington State Ferries lease the Steilacoom II ferry and keep traffic moving between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island,” said Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval. “The message on the painting sums it up perfectly—‘On behalf of all those who ride the ferry, the City of Port Townsend thanks the people of Pierce County for the use of the Steilacoom II in our time of need.’”
If members of the public also wish to express their thanks to Pierce County, a card is available to sign at City Hall, Suite 2, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. , Monday through Friday, until November 12. Max Grover’s painting will be on display in the office as well.
Tour Chetzemoka on November 14
Following the inaugural sailing of Chetzemoka, the ferry will be open to the public as an “Open House” from 1-2:30 pm on Nov. 14th, following the tribal ceremony at 12:30pm.
Port Townsend Family Portrait Follows Inaugural Sailing
The Port Townsend Main Street Program will hold its 25th Anniversary Port Townsend Family Portrait—a Community Photo Shoot—at 3pm, Sunday, November 14th at the Port Townsend Ferry Dock with the new ferry Chetzemoka in the background.
The Port Townsend Family Portrait is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy. David Conklin (conklinphoto.com) is the event photographer, assisted by Linda Townsend. The poster will be printed by The Printery Communications and will be available the following day. Posters will cost $10 each.
Watch for event updates on the Port Townsend Main Street’s website (www.ptmainstreet.org) and the program’s Facebook page.
Want to be a part of the portrait? Gather at The Port Townsend Ferry Dock, Sunday, November 14th at 3 pm!
Chetzemoka Ferry Makes Inaugural Sailing November 14
The first new ferry in Washington state in more than a decade will make its inaugural sailing Sunday, Nov. 14, between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend.
The 64-vehicle MV Chetzemoka, named after the late Klallam Chief Chetzemoka, will be christened by Gov. Chris Gregoire and recognized by the Klallam tribes. Chief Chetzemoka was known as a peaceful man and a wise diplomat who was believed to be about 80 when he died in 1888.
The governor, legislators, state and local officials and an estimated 300 invited guests from communities on both sides of Admiralty Inlet will board the vessel at the Whidbey Island Coupeville (Keystone) terminal following ceremonies. They will take a one-hour cruise to Port Townsend where representatives of the Klallam tribes will conduct a ceremony aboard the Chetzemoka.
Afterwards, the 750-passenger ferry will be available for public viewing in Port Townsend. Many people from the Olympic Peninsula and Whidbey Island are expected to attend the events at both terminals.
A more detailed schedule of the inaugural-sailing events, which are sponsored by Todd Pacific Shipyards, will be announced soon.
The new ferry will begin its regularly scheduled service between Port Townsend and the Coupeville (Keystone) terminal on Monday, Nov. 15.
“The Chetzemoka provides an important link between communities on both sides of the inlet,” Gov. Gregoire said. “The inaugural sailing is truly a big event, and I’m thrilled to be able to share in the excitement of the occasion.”
An inaugural sailing was originally scheduled for August, but was delayed when excessive vibrations were discovered in sea trials and later resolved by the shipbuilder.
“I want to commend and thank all the men and women from Todd Pacific Shipyards, Everett Shipyard, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Jesse Engineering for building such a magnificent vessel,” state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said. “The Chetzemoka is the first in a series of vessels that provide vital transportation links throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
Chetzemoka Arrives For Training
A terrific site in Port Townsend, as the new ferry Chetzemoka has arrived to begin the crew training phase of it’s deployment.
Chetzemoka Ferry Could Launch By Halloween
By Charlie Bermant, Peninsula Daily News.
Washington State Ferry personnel are now inspecting the newly constructed ferry MV Chetzemoka in preparation for crew training next week, with an eye to having the boat on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route by the end of October.
The ferry, which was delivered to the state Wednesday, is docked in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island, where employees are familiarizing themselves with the vessel, said Marta Coursey, state ferries system spokeswoman, on Thursday.
After a few days in Eagle Harbor, the Chetzemoka will taken out for crew training in Keystone Harbor, followed by training on the route across Admiralty Inlet between Coupeville and Port Townsend, she said, adding she could not provide specific dates.
The date of the inaugural sailing is not set either, Coursey said.
State ferries system officials have estimated the boat would be placed in service after about six weeks of training following the transfer of ownership.
Six weeks from the date of the transfer would be Oct. 27.
Coursey said the state would like to get the new boat in service by the end of October, when the state’s lease with Pierce County for the Steilacoom II is due to expire.
“We’re all anxious to get the boat running,” Coursey said.
“But we don’t want to set a date until everything is really solid.”
The original bid for the Chetzemoka, which was built by Todd Pacific Shipyards of Seattle, was $65.6 million but the final cost was $76.5 million.
The new ferry is rated to carry 64 cars and 750 passengers.
It was originally set to begin service on Aug. 29, but a vibration in the propeller at high speeds necessitated further tests and a software reconfiguration.
The vibration occurred when the boat was attempting to navigate Keystone Harbor, which requires a power spurt to cross the mouth of the harbor with the ability to slow down smoothly once in the harbor, state ferry officials said.
Once the Eagle Harbor inspection and Keystone Harbor training have been finished, the ferry will make test runs between Port Townsend and Coupeville, staggering times with the Steilacoom II so that the two boats won’t approach the dock at the same time.
At that time, the boat will be visible from the shore in Port Townsend.
Coursey said that engineers want to know that Chetzemoka can adequately navigate the harbor before setting a date for the first sailing.
The Steilacoom II, which has plied the rough waters of Admiralty Inlet since January 2008, has been plagued by choppy rides and cancellations.
The young winners of the drawing for the inaugural sailing of the new ferry Chetzemoka have been announced.
11-year-old Wil Gale provided the drawing above, and we’re happy to share it. Thanks Wil!
Each of the children below will get to ride on the first sailing of the ferry, along with a parent. Congratulations!
Rachel Urner (11)
Davis Owen (4)
Lauren Taracka (10)
Emillia Nunn (6)
Savannah Nelson (4)
Morgan Trail ( 6 1/2)
Just a Little Bit Longer Now…
The new ferry Chetzemoka is undergoing sea trials here in Puget Sound. Unfortunately, those trials have uncovered a vibration issue with the drivetrain on the ferry.
As a result, the original launch celebration that was planned for late August, will now be postponed until they can isolate and repair the issue, and finish sea trials.
We’ll be sure to post information on the updated schedule as soon as it is released.
