Leased car ferry begins sea trials across treacherous Admiralty Inlet

PORT TOWNSEND — The MV Steilacoom II landed without fanfare early Monday afternoon at the Port Townsend ferry terminal.

Then the car-passenger ferry rented by the state from Pierce County picked up some crew for training and launched into a week of sea trials on Admiralty Inlet and Port Townsend Bay.

“We had a very smooth trip, and this boat handles very well,” said chief mate Tom Dennis, who briefly stepped off the 50-car Steilacoom II, which sailed up from the Washington State Ferries maintenance yard at Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island.

At Eagle Harbor, the ferry received routine inspections and maintenance.

Port Townsend City Councilwoman Laurie Medlicott, whose second-floor ­water­front townhome overlooks the ferry terminal, said she watched warily Monday as the Steilacoom landed at the state terminal vacated by the mothballed 80-year-old MV Klickitat the day before.

“Seriously, I would be interested to see if it can manage in our waters,” Medlicott said.

“I’m seriously concerned. It certainly seems small. I have serious doubts that boat will return us to our level of service.”