AGO Opinion Topics: PROHIBITION COMMERCIAL FERRY CROSSING WITHIN TEN MILES STATE FERRY CROSSING

1.   RCW 47.60.120 prohibits a commercial ferry crossing within ten miles of a state ferry crossing.  The prohibition in RCW 47.60.120 applies to passenger-only ferries.   2.   The ten-mile distance in RCW 47.60.120 is ten statute miles measured by airline distance.  3.   The ten-mile rule in RCW 47.60.120 is applied by comparing the state ferry crossing to the commercial ferry crossing.  A crossing consists of the two end points or termini of the run.  If the two end points or termini of the commercial ferry crossing are within ten miles of the two end points or termini of the state ferry crossing, the commercial ferry crossing is prohibited.