Community gathers to welcome Oscar B.

The weather was wet but spirits were high as a large crowd gathered Saturday at the Puget Island ferry landing to celebrate the arrival of the Oscar B.

The ferry is named after Puget Island resident Oscar Bergseng, who ran it for 17 years. The county took over the operation of the ferry in the 1960's, and he continued working for the county.

County Commissioner Blair Brady, acting as master of ceremonies, introduced speakers and acknowledged people and agencies who helped bring the new ferry to reality.

Brady said Congresswoman Jaime Hererra Beutler and Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell played key roles. They helped secure funding, and they helped move the permitting process along with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Hererra Beutler commented that the effort was a non-partisan team process.

"It was an honor to be part of the team--a region working together, not party politics," she said.

"It is very remarkable that for such a small county with limited resources, you all did a fabulous job. It was a huge bi-state project, which is never easy, and I do commend you for this accomplishment. It was definitely a team effort."

Brady highlighted efforts of other officials.

Senator Murray's role on the Senate Appropriations Committee was a big help in getting the funding, Brady said. State

Representatives Dean Takko and Brian Blake helped with permitting at the state level.

"You've got a lot to be proud of," Takko said. "This is a collaboration of local, state and federal goverment. There were a lot of hurdles to get over. You've got a guy here--Pete (Public Works Director Pete Ringen) is one heck of a guy. He was like a dog on a bone getting this done.

"It's really an impressive day. This isn't only important to our community here, but building this ferry really helped revitalize the ship building industry in the state of Washington."

Brady intorduced Kathleen Davis, state Department of Transportation director of local programs. "She was instrumental in helping us secure a loan that closed a funding gap," he said.

"It's been a long haul," Davis said. "For such a small county, it's truly remarkable. It has been nine years; way to go, Pete.

"He really hung in there and made this happen."

Brady applauded the efforts of Clatsop County commissioners public works staff to build a new landing to match the size of the new ferry.

Finally, Brady recognized the hard work of Public Works Director Pete Ringen.

"We can't over state the amount of stress it put on Pete and his staff to bring this to fulfillment," Brady said. "Thank you, sir."

Members of Oscar Bergseng's family were present, including sons Albert and Gary, who skippered the ferry many years and worked with the builders to bring it from Whidbey Island to Puget Island.

They ferry was shut down for a few hours Saturday for the program, and the crowd, estimated close to 200 persons, gave it a close inspection.

Later in the afternoon when the Oscar B. returned to service, crew members noticed a problem with one of the propellers, and they shut down the ferry for service.

"I received a call from one of our captains Saturday afternoon that there was a concern on the starboard side, and he felt he needed to shut it down to assure there was no damage," Ringen said Monday. "Initially we suspected the possibility of line in the prop. When more potentially serious concerns were raised, I asked him to contact the shipyard.

"Nichols Brothers Boat Builders personnel came down on Sunday and adjusted valves for the shaft cooling lines and got the ferry in operation again by early afternoon."

About the Oscar B.:

Length: 115 feet

Beam: 47 feet

Draft: 4 feet

Vehicles: 23 cars

People: 100 passengers

Cost: $5.7 million