Tag Archives: agua verde

News, Transportation

Captain Krezner’s Mini-Ferry Trips From UW to SLU are Back

(Photo: Jon Dean)

Remember how last year we were telling you about a fun new mosquito ferry from the University of Washington’s shores to Lake Union Park’s pier?

Captain Krezner, he who helms the mighty M/V Mocha, says he’s back for another year of transporting not so many people at a time (up to 14 passengers plus two bikes) across the not so vast expanse of Lake Union. The new sailing season begins Friday, May 25, 2012.

We have secured the sailing schedule for you. Departures from the UW side are on the hour; departures from the SLU pier are every half hour. It’s just $5!

Monday through Thursday 8:00am through 6:00pm
Fridays 8:00am through 9:00pm
Saturdays 10:00am through 9:00pm
Sundays 10:00am through 9:00pm

As you no doubt know, once you get to Lake Union Park, downtown is just a tram ride away on the Seattle Streetcar. It’s no cablebahn (that’s a new word I have learned that sounds more official than gondola), but it’ll do.

Crosscut meanwhile has news on the foot ferries that were endangered by the Colman Dock’s redesign. C.B. Hall reports that part of the issue is that interest in foot ferries is only increasing of late:

In addition to Kingston, other services would also be affected. The King County Ferry District (KCFD) operates the Water Taxi to West Seattle and Vashon. Kitsap Transit hopes to begin using Colman for four months of trials (with paying passengers) for its Bremerton passenger-only service in late June. The Port of Port Townsend is looking to launch a more tourist-oriented service in the summer of 2013.

Here’s to everyone putting their best foot ferry forward.

News, Transportation

Discover Seattle’s UW-to-SLU Mosquito Ferry

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Say hello to my little friend! The Seattle Mini-Ferry docks near Agua Verde at the south end of Brooklyn St. in the University District. (Photo: Jonathan Dean)

Special to The SunBreak by Jonathan Dean

Serendipity happens. I spent last Saturday morning loading up my panniers at the Friends of the Seattle Public Library Book Sale at Magnuson Park, but picked up a flat riding back down the Burke-Gilman.

I ended up getting back to South Lake Union by boat—via the brilliant, audacious new Seattle Mini-Ferry, which started linking SLU with the University District three weeks ago.

Run by the same people who bring you the Sunday Ice Cream Cruise ($11 adults) out of Lake Union Park, the new ferry is a great addition to our city’s transit options.

Currently they run passengers back and forth from their UW dock at the foot of Brooklyn St. (near the Agua Verde kayak launch), on the hour, and the pier at South Lake Union Park, on the half hour.

UW departures on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday on the hour from the UW. 8am through 6pm. Friday & Saturday 8am through 9pm.

S. Lake Union Park departures (foot of Terry Avenue N.) on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday on the half hour from the UW. 8:30am through 6:30pm. Friday & Saturday 8:30am through 9:30pm.

Cost is $5; assuming it isn’t raining, it’s a delightful boat ride, and faster than biking, walking, taking the #30, or taking a car through bad traffic. They can take up to 14 passengers (and two bikes). Plans are underway to open another route linking South Lake Union with the landing just west and north of the Fremont bridge.