The Puget Sound is a treasured natural resource, a rich marine life habitat and a spectacular marine playground. Its scenic beauty is unparalleled.  The Sound also serves as a critical link in the region’s transportation system.  Washington State Ferries operates the country’s largest auto ferry system across the Puget Sound. Many private marine companies operate charter, recreational and scheduled transportation services around and across the Puget Sound.  Frequent, reliable and environmentally sensitive ferry service across the Puget Sound is key to sustaining and enhancing the quality of life and economic well being of Kitsap County.

Rich Passage, a narrow channel of water between Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula on the route from Bremerton to Seattle, is one of the most thoroughly studied bodies of water in the world.  High-speed ferry service between Seattle and Bremerton has been stymied by problems related to vessel wake generation and shoreline erosion. Currently, Washington State Ferries runs 28 auto ferry crossings per day and, until 2003, 28 passenger-only ferry crossings. In 2004 The Kitsap Ferry Company initiated passenger only service between Bremerton and is currently running six crossings per day between Bremerton and Seattle. As the momentum builds for high-speed passenger ferry service from several ports in Kitsap County to Seattle, interest grows for solving wake and erosion problems in Rich Passage and around the Puget Sound. Washington’s congressional delegation has been instrumental in securing initial federal funds to further wake and erosion research.

Wake wash and shoreline erosion are not the only environmental issues challenging high-speed ferry service.  The marine bottom habitat can be affected by the turbulence generated by ferry propulsion systems.  Docks and ferry loading facilities can shade the water, blocking sunlight from reaching the sea floor below the structures and retarding growth of the bottom habitats essential to marine life. Vessel and vehicle emissions can threaten air quality on the Sound and the shore.  Ferry vessels rely upon large engines that emit toxic fumes, with the greatest emissions occurring while vessels idle near the dock.  Vehicle emissions can also become a problem around ferry terminals where they become concentrated as private vehicles and buses congregate during passenger loading and unloading times.

The Ferry Wake and Environment Council was formed to advocate for environmentally sound high-speed ferry vessels and terminal facilities and to disseminate wake and relevant environmental research information. This council focuses on:

• Dissemination of research information

• Promotion of new and further environmental research

• Establishment of community forums for
   

  • Wave criteria
  • Shore protection
  • Wave attenuation
  • Low-wake vessel design
  • Marine habitat preservation and protection around terminals

Board Members:

Beverly Kincaid, Chair
Grant Griffin
Holly James
Will Maupin
Matt Mullet
Len Rouche