Classic old state ferry not sold after all
SEATTLE (AP) - Washington State Ferries now says a classic old state ferry didn't sell at auction after all.
The 48-car ferry Rhododendron had been reported sold for $300,000 in an online auction that closed Nov. 20.
Ferry system spokeswoman Marta Coursey tells the Kitsap Sun that the buyer has withdrawn the bid. The buyer used the online handle of "kingstontown."
The spokeswoman said Friday that the would-be buyer had been in talks with another party seeking to purchase the boat, but the other party opted out - and so did the bidder. Coursey says he'll forfeit a $50 deposit.
She says the ferry system will contact some other potential buyers who had expressed interest. If that doesn't work, the vessel might be donated to a nonprofit company for training.
The ferry system originally estimated the Rhododendron's market value at $750,000.
The Rhododendron was retired from service in January after 60 years on the job in Puget Sound - banned by the Coast Guard for any trip more than a mile or so from dock.
She was one of the originals of the modern ferry system when the state bought her in 1952. The interior is classic - in generally good condition after some restorations. It carries just 48 cars.
Some lawmakers clamored to bring her back. But state Rep. Judy Clibborn, chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee, agrees with the decision to auction off the Rhody.
She says the Rhody was at the end of her life and would have been too expensive to restore to service.
The 48-car ferry Rhododendron had been reported sold for $300,000 in an online auction that closed Nov. 20.
Ferry system spokeswoman Marta Coursey tells the Kitsap Sun that the buyer has withdrawn the bid. The buyer used the online handle of "kingstontown."
The spokeswoman said Friday that the would-be buyer had been in talks with another party seeking to purchase the boat, but the other party opted out - and so did the bidder. Coursey says he'll forfeit a $50 deposit.
She says the ferry system will contact some other potential buyers who had expressed interest. If that doesn't work, the vessel might be donated to a nonprofit company for training.
The ferry system originally estimated the Rhododendron's market value at $750,000.
The Rhododendron was retired from service in January after 60 years on the job in Puget Sound - banned by the Coast Guard for any trip more than a mile or so from dock.
She was one of the originals of the modern ferry system when the state bought her in 1952. The interior is classic - in generally good condition after some restorations. It carries just 48 cars.
Some lawmakers clamored to bring her back. But state Rep. Judy Clibborn, chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee, agrees with the decision to auction off the Rhody.
She says the Rhody was at the end of her life and would have been too expensive to restore to service.
Can you say, "Houseboat"?
It's a hunk of rusty steel that has outlived its usefulness. It can never be made safe or efficient and it really needs to be scrapped.Â
Calling it a "classic" doesn't make it anything useful. It's junk... get rid of it and move on.
 @Fooey Patooey! The hull on that ferry was replaced 20 years ago, and the superstructure entirely rebuilt in 1991, so your claims are incorrect. Fundamentally, it could've lived another twenty years or so.
Missing out on smart long term planning. The Chetzamoka (sp) Is overpowered, badly built, wrongly built and has a permanent list. It is unpleasant to ride on and costs a fortune to run when it is not broken. How much, exactly would it have cost to upgrade the better machine? I don't suppose any of the decision makers in this issue have any financial ties to the makers of new ferries?
 @farmerbear The permanent list was part of its design. The ferry it was modeled after (M.V. Island Home in Massachusetts) also has the same list. The list has nothing to do with improper design at all.
 @StevenRosenow Steven, you know your info. Your replies are cool, thought out and factual. Well done.
@StevenRosenow @farmerbear So why was it designed like that when it obviously is a negative for passengers? Sounds like a POOR design for me.
 @EMDF9A I've rode aboard the Salish and Kennewick, identical sisters to the Chetzemoka and the list isn't a negative. Infact, once fully loaded, the Chetzemoka and the other two have no list at all.Your claims of it being a negative for passengers has no merit in marine architecture and ferry design.
Why can't the Rhododendron be repaired and put back into service during this time of ferry shortage?Â
The Ferry system needs help - a lot of it. Among it's failures, is the auction that didn't have a bid bond nor a reserve. It just adds to the costs of ineptitude. Pilots sleeping on the wrong boat, crew staffing problems and capitulation to ever union demand. NO problem - just increase the fares and let the legislature find the shortage money. Good bye Chris - you've done a great job.
puglette...........you made my eyes water in a happy way!
It's a shame she cannot be restored and used as a back up ferry for one of the smaller runs. I remember taking her to school sporting events on the mainland back in 70-71. She was a fun boat to ride in storms and I remember the way waves would crash over the bow when I was lucky enough to be on the last run until the storm subsided. She would creak and shudder and the swells would have her bobbing and weaving, rocking from side to side as she did her best to get us safely back to Clinton. She never let us down.
IIRC the Rhododendron was built in 1927 and had direct-reversing Diesel engines for its propulsion some years back. An old friend of mine told me of a truly scary ride aboard that boat when the Columbus Day Storm hit in '62! Too bad she can't be restored to her former glory.
 @Crashbox The Rhododendron was built in 1948. Not 1927. The Steel Electrics were built in the 20s.
 @Crashbox Compared to what she replaced in the 1950's, she was utterly huge and ultimately seaworthy. As I recall, she was one of the boats where you could actually stare down into the engine room from the car deck, and see and hear (and smell) those big diesels as they turned the screws. Great memories!
 @JLS1950  @Crashbox I remember riding her too and looking down into the engine room. Wonderful old boat. Would like to see her on ferry runs and ride on her again.
 @JLS1950  @Crashbox In the 1950's she probably was pretty seaworthy but rust never sleeps now does it?
I've rode on this lots of times. Up until a year or two ago it was on the Tacoma-Vashon because that trip doesn't require the ship to ever be more than a mile from shore.Â
Ahhh... so many good memories of the Rhody and her sister ship, the Olympic! Summer trips to my grandparents' cabin on a lake on southern Whidbey Island. I used to look forward those trips all year then.
What part of deficit can't the state understand?
Make it a reef! it cost way less and gives the marine life in Puget sound a place to live and divers a place to explore.
What does it cost to bring it up to operable condition? Seems it could still be used on some route.
 @SEATTLITERON It would be sort of nice if one of our tech millionaires would take pity on that lovely boat... Sigh...
Donate it to the Navy for target practice. I'd rather see it turn into a reef instead of being another abandoned derelict left clogging our waterways like another former Washington ferry that has a name that starts with a K.
So for $50 a buyer can set up a fake account and become the highest bidder (or have a friend do it) and then forfeit the $50 only to wait for the phone call from the state asking if you're still interested. So for $50 you could save a hundred thousand dollars or more. I think the deposit needs to have a couple more zeroes on it when you're talking about these kind of dollar amounts.
 @Rockberry All the back-up bidders seem to have declined too, dude. There is no market for the boat right now.
 @JLS1950 You sure are a smart one but failed to comprehend the topic of my post.
Donating it to charity...That's a pretty bold idea for a state that is facing a billion dollar budget shortfall. Ive said it before, and will say it again: Paula Hammond needs to go. WSF and DOT
needs new and capable leadership.
 @northwestsurfer Oh, that's a Wonderful idea! (Not!) We could do the same with all our other garbage, too, and avoid all the costs and environmental hazards of landfills in the bargain!
Â
...idiots!
 @northwestsurfer No charity with any brains would take it.
The Rhododendron is more than just a ferry boat to my husband and I. Â We were married aboard the Rhody on November 21, 1998. Â We fondly remember the Rhododendron as a wonderful, floating wedding chapel. Â The kindness of the crew on our special day will never be forgotten. Â We said our wedding vows on the trip from Point Defiance to Vashon Island, the return trip was our reception. Â With friends and family surrounding us and the scenic views of the South Sound, we had the most romantic wedding possible. Â
Â
Last year on our anniversary we took an evening ride on "our" ferry. Â My husband mentioned to a passing crew member that it was our anniversary and that we had been married on the ferry. Â Before too long the Captain came up to us and invited us to tour the bridge. Â We were delighted to be invited, the remainder of our return trip to Tacoma was spent with the Captain and bridge crew. Â The view was spectacular, the clear fall night, the sparkling lights of Tacoma, made an already memorable day and absolute treasure.
Â
I really wish the Rhododendron could be back on the Sound, it is truly a treasure of the ferry system, at least to this family.
 @puglette Touching history with the ferry. Thank you for sharing.
Â
This ferry is no where near modern safety standards. As a result the Coast Guard requires it to stay within a mile or so of land, at least for commercial service. It isn't considered to be worth the cost for such limited usability. Its really to bad. I miss the old boats, the Rhododendron and the Steel Electrics too.Â
 @leftcenterright The requirement to stay within one mile of land was
because many of the hull plates are VERY thin which could mean a sudden
influx of water and thereby sink the vessel. The one mile limit is to insure
that anyone on board has a reasonable chance of survival should that occur.
Â
I believe that the US Coast Guard was wise to place such restrictions on
the vessel until that integrity of the hull can be addressed.
Â
If the above issue were to be addressed, the vessel might have a few more
decades of service left, before being finally being scrapped. Such repairs
are however not cheap, but are cheaper than building a new replacement
vessel.
 @pete1427  @leftcenterright I am afraid most people won't swim a mile in puget sound water - just too cold. Without immersion suit you'll start cramping and go hypothermic fairly quickly. People would still depend on being rescued by tenders and other boats.
 @puglette Wonderful, romantic story!
 @puglette Sounds like you should purchase the Rhody ;-) Nice story.