Ferry: Fill’er up! In Oregon?

May 24, 2007

When the Ferry Wahkiakum next goes to refuel, it will do so in Oregon, Wahkiakum County commissioners decided this week.

The change is a result of new Washington state regulations designed to reduce the amount of fuel spilled into waters of the state during refueling of vessels. The regulations require, among other things, that a floating boom be deployed around the vessel being refueled.

Fuel supplier Wilcox and Flegel brought the matter to the attention of county officials, Public Works Director Pete Ringen said Tuesday.

The firm suggested Cowlitz Clean Sweep could be hired at each fueling, which occurs about every two weeks; the cost would be approximately $257 per session.

That was more than county officials wanted to pay.

Ringen said Oregon doesn’t yet have the floating boom and related regulations, and Wilcox and Flegel could deliver fuel with no extra cost when the ferry was docked at Westport.

The operation will create a bump in the ferry schedule. Normally, the ferry arrives at Westport at a quarter after the hour; vehicles and passengers disembark; Washington bound traffic loads, and the vessel takes off.

The fueling will require a 20 minute delay, Ringen said. Ferry crew will notify passengers, and they will be loaded once the fueling is complete.

“We certainly want to take all reasonable precautions to avoid spilling any contaminants in the Columbia River, and we want to follow all applicable laws and regulations,” Ringen said. “I feel we can continue our safe and clean record of successfully fueling the ferry Wahkiakum by making this change in our operational procedures.”