Ferry Projects

Dry-Docking of M/V Steilacoom II

Update May 8, 2019
The M/V Steilacoom II passed sea trials on May 7. It made the voyage from Bellingham back home to Steilacoom on May 8.

Project Overview
The Pierce County Ferry System will be down to a single boat while the M/V Steilacoom II is dry-docked for maintenance and inspection. The work will begin Jan. 19 and should be complete in May.

Puglia Engineering, Inc. is the contractor for the $1.5 million project with work occurring at the Bellingham shipyard. The project includes: lighting upgrades, paint touch-up, non-skid surface replacement, inspect and repair marine transmission gear and hydraulic steering system, and hull repairs. A full inspection of the vessel will determine other potential work.

Passenger-only ferry service may be offered if a significant service interruption occurs during this project. If implemented, passenger-only service will only operate between Anderson Island and Steilacoom. Inadequate dock and ramp facilities will not handle passenger-only ferry service to Ketron Island.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requires hull exams twice in a five-year period. Pierce County’s ferries are allowed to conduct one underwater and one dry-dock hull exam every five years. Conducting in-water hull exams reduces costs. The USCG allows underwater exams due to the quality of Pierce County’s maintenance program, vessel build quality, and route on which the ferries operate.

Steilacoom Ferry Landing Lay Berth

Project to improve secondary ferry slip, known as a lay berth, at Steilacoom begins July 15 and will continue through end of 2018. The primary ferry slip will be unaffected during this work. The project should not interrupt ferry service between Anderson Island, Ketron Island and Steilacoom.

The project will replace piles, ferry-protective structures called wingwalls and dolphins, and lengthens the gangway by 70 feet. The project also improves hook-ups for mechanical and utility systems such as electrical, water and sewer.

Creosote timbers used for the existing wing walls and dolphins are failing from age. This project will replace them with all-steel components that last up to 25 years. Creosote timber typically lasts 10 to 15 years. The steel parts are also better for the Puget Sound environment.

The general contractor for the $2.16 million project is Rognlin's Inc. of Aberdeen, Washington. The project is federally funded using ferry boat discretionary funds.

Dry-Docking of M/V Christine Anderson

This project is complete.

The required dry docking of the M/V Christine Anderson began Sept. 17 and was completed Nov. 7.

Puglia Engineering, Inc. was the contractor for the $1.6 million project with work conducted at their Bellingham shipyard. The project included upgrading the navigation equipment, fire sprinkler corrosion prevention and repair, paint touch-up, non-skid surface replacement and passenger door repairs. A full inspection of the vessel will determine other potential work.

Waterborne Transportation Study

The Pierce County Ferry System's Waterborne Transportation Study was completed in 2015. It is available here.

During the study, Pierce County analyzed:

Population and demographic changes projected through 2034
Changes to ferry service that would enhance island economic vitality and livability
The financial sustainability of the ferry system
The 14-year capital needs of the ferry system

Study advisory group

A study advisory group was formed to provide input on the needs of the ferry system and the implications of any alternatives to ferry staff and BERK Consulting, a Seattle firm that was hired to lead the study on Pierce County’s behalf.

The 10-member advisory group was made up of stakeholders including ferry riders, residents from both islands, and representatives from the Town of Steilacoom, Anderson Island Fire and Rescue, and Steilacoom Historical School District No. 1. The advisory group met several times in 2015.

Three phases

The study was conducted in three phases.

Phase 1:

The current situation of the ferry system was assessed to understand the system’s history and outlook, and to identify key challenges and opportunities for the future. The county analyzed population and ridership, fare structure and ticketing system technology, the system’s finances, and service including vessels, terminals, and operations.

Phase 2:

The county developed alternatives for service provision, fare structure and technology, and cost and revenue strategies. Criteria for evaluating these alternatives were developed and built based on the Ferry Performance Measure report. Riders were asked to take an origin and destination study in early 2015.

Phase 3:

The implications to the alternatives to ridership, finances, customers, and communities were examined before the plan was developed. During this phase, Pierce County hosted two public meetings. The draft and final plans were issued in early summer 2015.

The recommendations were then presented to Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy and the Pierce County Council Economic Infrastructure and Development Committee.

The ferry system was last analyzed by the 2003 Waterborne Transportation Study.

2015 Public Meetings

May 14, Anderson Island Elementary School: Options for fare and service policies,
Station Handouts, Station Boards, McNeil & New Markets, Comment Form

June 11, Anderson Island Elementary School: Preliminary Draft Recommendations
Station Handouts, Station Boards, Comment Form

Advisory Group Meeting Documents

Dec. 8, 2014: Agenda, Roles and Responsibilities, Project Overview, Project Schedule, Roster and Team Contacts

Jan. 14, 2015: Composition

Feb. 11, 2015: Agenda, Draft Situation Assessment, Meeting Summary

March 11, 2015: Agenda, Alternative Evaluation Criteria, Alternative Options, Meeting Summary

April 16, 2015: Agenda, Meeting Packet - Service

April 23, 2015: Agenda, Meeting Packet, Meeting Summary

May 27, 2015: Agenda, Public Comments, Draft Recommendations, Meeting Notes

July 1, 2015: Agenda, Meeting Presentation, Compiled Comments, Recommendation Ranking Form, Meeting Notes

July 10, 2015 AICAB Meeting Presentation on the Waterborne Transportation Study

Ferry Planning

2013 Ferry Service Evaluation The purpose of the 2013 Ferry Service Evaluation was twofold: first, to evaluate several proposed service changes that have been suggested, and second, to evaluate the results of recently implemented and historical service changes that have been put into effect. The Pierce County Ferry System will use this study to determine future potential schedule changes to better serve its customers.
Fourteen-Year Ferry Program The Fourteen-Year Ferry Program (2013-2026) is a ferry system planning document required by state law. Pierce County imbeds this document annually with the County's Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Waterborne Transportation Study - An October 2003 report with recommendations for improvements to the County's ferry system.