mapleridgenews.com ( British Columbia )

Albion Ferry vessels headed for Washington?


By Phil Melnychuk - Maple Ridge News



The fate of the Albion ferries is still unknown because the two vessels remain unsold and on the market.

TransLink is selling the ships, the MV Kulleet and Klatawa for $1.1 million each and had them on Craig’s List in preparation for the shutdown of the service, July 31.

According to Dave Miller, president of Fraser River Marine, a TransLink division which operates the ferries, both Washington State Ferries and Whatcom county, near Bellingham, Wa., are interested.

He said TransLink’s broker is trying to find a way to around legislation that requires the use of U.S.-made ships and expects to hear back next week.

“Those ships are in excellent shape. That’s why they’re having a good long look at them,” Miller said.

But a Whatcom county spokesman says the municipality doesn’t have the money and isn’t looking to buy. Washington State Ferries says the ships are too small for their needs as well.

Meanwhile, the future of the Albion ferry docks, on both the south and north side of the Fraser River, is becoming more certain.

TransLink is talking with the Kwantlen First Nation in Langley about taking over the docks on the south side. And West Coast Express is interested in the Albion ferry property in Maple Ridge, likely for a site of the Albion station.

Miller said depending on an environmental study, for which TransLink will pay, the docks could be removed, the riverfront restored and the property offered to Maple Ridge. He said TransLink will soon approach the district on that.

But Miller said he’s received no communication from the municipality.

“I haven’t heard anything from the district.”

Coun. Cheryl Ashlie earlier had said she wanted waterfront access to the river maintained when the ferry stops but council didn’t follow up with a decision.

If West Coast Express decides it doesn’t want the site, the waterfront property will be put up for sale.

Efforts also are continuing to find employment for the 56 Albion ferry employees. Ten though will be retiring and 11 have found work with SeaBus in North Vancouver.

Two employees also are relocating to B.C.’s inland ferry service in Revelstoke and another is going to eastern Canada.

Others are interested in other careers. TransLink hosted job fairs with B.C. Corrections and B.C. Ferries and will host more, he said.

“We’re working as hard as we possibly can. We want to make sure as many people land on their feet.”

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