SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5979

BYSenator Moore

Relating to ferries.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):

Senate Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

AS OF MARCH 5, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Currently, the Washington State Ferries use radar, gyro-compasses, navigational charts, and the Vessel Traffic System operated by the Coast Guard as means for navigating in Puget Sound.

Sea-going vessels, and vessels traveling the Great Lakes over 500 gross tons are required to have depth sounders as a U.S. Coast Guard requirement.

Master and mates are to have a first class pilot endorsement, are tested extensively, and under normal circumstances are assigned and travel the same route over the course of many years.

SUMMARY:

All Washington State ferries are required to be equipped with depth sounding equipment that will transmit an instantaneous reading to the wheelhouse.

Installation of the depth sounders, under the normal maintenance schedule, would cost approximately $30,000 dollars a ferry, or $660,000 to equip the 22 ferries in the system.

Fiscal Note:      requested