Anchor QEA staff was retained by Washington State Ferries (WSF) to evaluate shoreline erosion issues within Rich Passage near Bremerton, Washington. The project originated in 1990 when property owners along Rich Passage contacted WSF with concerns that the passenger-only fast ferry (POFF) was causing significant erosion to beaches and structural damage. Anchor QEA staff conducted a coastal engineering evaluation of the area including oceanographic data collection and littoral drift analysis to assess potential shoreline impacts. Wind-wave processes, bulkhead designs, biological impacts, and vessel generated waves were extensively modeled and analyzed. WSF slowed down the POFFs based on the study results.

In 1998, WSF began running POFF service from Seattle to Bremerton using the “Chinook,” a new class of catamaran vessel. Although the Chinook was specially designed to prevent adverse shoreline impacts, property owners within Rich Passage sued WSF over suspected environmental and property damage attributed to the use of this vessel. The Kitsap County Superior Court ordered WSF to perform a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review of the Chinook’s operation. Anchor QEA served as the technical lead for addressing all aspects of potential shoreline impact, including beach stability, biological impacts, and structural conditions. Technical studies included coastal engineering, shoreline and aerial surveys, structural surveys, wave run-up studies, and biological studies. Based on results of the SEPA review, WSF reached an out-of-court settlement with the property owners, and slowed down the POFF over a reach that was determined to be sensitive to shoreline changes.

For more information on this project, please contact Tom Wang at twang@anchorqea.com.