Port of Olympia sues ferry owner over unpaid fees
The Port of Olympia has sued the owner of a former Washington state ferry over unpaid fees, according to a lawsuit filed this month in federal district court.
The ferry is the former Evergreen State, which has become a familiar sight at the port’s marine terminal because it has been moored there for more than two years.
According to the lawsuit, the ferry is owned by a company called Jones Global Investment LLC, although a business called Jones Broadcasting LLC purchased it from the state in 2017 for $300,000.
After the 310-foot ferry was purchased, it was renamed “The Dream” and was expected to stay at the port for only two months.
Washington State Ferries said at the time the new owner planned to use the old ferry for ferry service in the “protected waters of the southern Caribbean.”
A Port of Olympia records request shows that destination was Panama, The Olympian reported. There were other ideas, including using the ferry as an event center with fine dining and vendor booths in Pensacola, Florida, according to the port.
The lawsuit says Jones owes the Port $66,000 for “moorage and dockage services provided to the vessel.”
The port also seeks a warrant from the court so that it can “arrest” the vessel to enforce its lien on the ferry.
Despite the lawsuit, port spokeswoman Jennie Foglia-Jones said Thursday the port is still prepared to accommodate potential buyers. A sale is in the “best interests of both parties,” she said.
An attempt to sell the ferry on eBay was unsuccessful. Now, a business called Dock Street Brokers in Seattle has it listed for sale for $350,000.
This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
