The City of Des Moines has announced the introduction of a two month pilot project to test the viability of a passenger only fast ferry between the Des Moines Marina and =
Downtown Seattle’s Bell Harbor Marina.
Service is scheduled to start Wednesday August 10th, and run through Sunday, October 9th aboard the Chilkat Express, chartered from and run by Puget Sound Express. Initially
the boat will make four trips a day, Wednesday through Sunday. Transit time is 40 minutes each way.
The vessel will depart Des Moines Marina at 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm. Southbound trips will depart Seattle at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. The boat will overnight in Des Moines.
Service will be free over the first week (August 10-15). Subsequently, the fare will be $10 each way. Seniors and active military will pay $5 each way and children 13 and under ride
free.
The Chilkat Express is wheelchair accessible as are the docks at both terminals.
Availability of crew currently limits service to 10 hours a day, but if demand warrants and additional crew can be hired, an additional round trip may be added leaving Des Moines at
8am and leaving Seattle at 9am.
The City of Des Moines is partnering with the Highline School District to provide deckhands to work alongside trained crew. The paid internships give students exposure to the
maritime industry, and they will gain sea time credit which they can use to further their training.
Built in 2001 as a passenger ferry for the Alaska market, the Chilkat Express is an efficient, quiet and smooth-running hydrofoil powered by twin water jets. She has a cruising
speed of 40 knots.
The Chilkat Express is owned and operated by Puget Sound Express, which has been operating passenger ferries and tour boats on the Puget Sound since 1985. Puget Sound
Express is a third-generation family-run business founded in 1985. They currently operate whale watching tours out of 3 locations, totaling 7 departures per day.
Original source can be found here.
