|
Port Townsend Foot Ferry Information, statistics and questions
This information is provided for the purpose of determining the validity of a passenger foot ferry run from Port Townsend to Seattle. The Port of Port Townsend Commissioners are heavily invested in this project which is for the sole purpose of bringing tourists to Port Townsend. Does this follow the mission of the Port? "The Mission of the Port of Port Townsend is to serve the citizens of Jefferson County by responsibly maintaining and developing property and facilities to promote sustainable economic growth, to provide community access to Port facilities and services, and to protect and maintain our community resources and maritime heritage." Is the foot ferry economically feasible? -How much will it cost to build? Estimates are around $2 million -Will the Federal funding cover all building costs? A federal grant of $1.3 million has been procured for the purpose of building a ferry to a remote town to boost economic growth. -Is the operation and maintenance privately funded?
-Fact: It is about 45 statute miles from Port Townsend to Seattle. -Fact: Jim Pavarnik states that the ferry will take from 75 to 90 minutes, 15 to 20 minutes faster than driving and taking the Bainbridge ferry. -Fact: This means the ferry has to travel at 36 or 30 miles/hr (statute) -To be verified: A boat designed to take 50 passengers will likely use about 300 gallons of diesel for each one way trip for a 30mph boat or upwards of 400 gallons for a 36mph boat. -Fact: This is 6 gallons per person at let's say $3.50/gallon = $21.00 for fuel only for a 30 mph boat. 8 gallons/person or $28.00 for a 36 mph boat. -Fact: This equates to 7.5
mpg/passenger at 50 passengers/trip for the slower
boat. 3.38mpg/passenger at 30
passengers/trip for the faster boat. This is
fuel cost only ! -Fact: Even an auto getting a low 13 mpg driven to the Bainbridge Ferry (45 miles) using 3.5 gallons = $12.25 + $16.40 = $28.65 (peak season ferry fare) and you have a car when get there. Less if walk on or for winter month fares. Time is about 110 minutes to Seattle if wait time at ferry is not too long. -Fact: Jim Pavarnik has stated that the ferry is for the sole purpose of bringing tourists to Port Townsend. -Fact: Jim Pavarnik has stated that the ferry is not for lower income travelers and that it is more economical that driving. If driving an auto getting 25 mpg, fuel costs to the ferry would be less than 1/2 that of a gas guzzler. About $21.50 including the ferry fare !! -Fact: If the city bought a
very plush 50 passenger 5-6 mpg bus = about
300mpg/passenger if full !!! Also locals
could use the bus for trips to the airport.
Such a bus might cost about $750,000.
Some questions that need to be answered: -Will the ferry run all year?
Winter months ? -Where will the additional funds for
salerys, maintenance and repairs come
from?? How much will it cost to operate? -Will it be filled to the 50 person capacity? If only 30 people ride, each passenger will use 10 gallons of diesel and it will cost $35/passenger for fuel only with the slower 30 mph boat, $46.67 each for the 75 minute boat. -How many people will use it? Daily, Yearly. -How well can this boat handle rough
seas?? -Why are foot ferries failing in other areas? -Why ride when driving is cheaper and minimally longer? -Doesn't the town want to create a more locally sustainable community? -Why isn't the port spending it's time on local port operations, facilities and trades?
Is it supported by the majority of the population? -The port commissioners stated that the largest group of all time attended the meeting of August 24th, 2011 to support the ferry. -Who were these people? Did they represent the majority population of Port Townsend? Most of them were merchants and others that would directly benefit from tourists coming to Port Townsend. -Jim Pavarnik stated: "We are using a different model, which is not to serve the locals but to bring tourists to Port Townsend." -If this were put to the vote, would it pass?
Is it environmentally responsible? -How much does this add to our town's carbon footprint? -Fact: Burning a gallon of
diesel oil creates 22.2 lbs CO2. This
equates to 116 lbs of carbon dioxide per person
for the slower boat run with a full 50 passenger
compliment. About 6600 lbs of CO2 per
trip. 8800 for the faster boat. This does
not include other pollutants associated with
burning diesel fuel. -Fact: Driving a 13mpg gas car
to Bainbridge creates 67 lbs CO2. More if
driven on the ferry which adds the carbon dioxide
portion of the ferry boat trip. The
Bainbridge ferry already runs regardless of
ridership. This amount is much less if
driving a 25 mpg car or if driving with two or
more people. -Where does the Climate Action Committee stand on this with the latest environmental concerns on greenhouse emissions and pollution? -How much does a high speed marine vessel noise impact sea life especially the returning whale population? -How does one see or request an Environmental Impact Report?
Other: - Why doesn't
the port publish the ferry project
information on it's web site? -The port states that the money is from a federal grant and it will not cost us anything. If you haven't been paying attention, this grant money comes from loans from the Federal Reserve and is the main cause of the financial crisis this county is facing. It is the very reason that the Occupy Wall Street movement is so prevalent. The whole nation pays for this and adds to our astronomical national debt and raises taxes by means of higher interest rates. -Don't try to make the town something
it isn't. Port Townsend is an outpost and
much of its charm and uniqueness is because of
that fact. It will always be the "City of
Dreams". -The port and
the city seem to be fixated on tourism at the
expense of other sources of income, more locally
sustainable and historically viable ie. marine
trades. -The future of
tourism is an unknown commodity and in conflict
with environmental concerns. -Support tourism for what it is, not for what a few want to make it. - Tourism raises costs for locals as
a result from improving the infrastructure to
support tourists. It increases debt and
raises land values.
Links: http://www.normdicks.com/2011/08/16/footferry/ |