KINGSTON — The Kingston Express, once the backup vessel for the north end’s passenger ferry service to Seattle, has become more of a decoration.

The 105-foot, single-hull ferry bobs up and down at the passenger ferry landing, which is now unused. However, the Express may soon have a new purpose and identity.

The Port of Kingston is waiting for confirmation or denial from the Federal Transit Administration to transfer the passenger ferry to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. As of March 25, there was no official word from New Orleans or the FTA.

“We’re waiting for confirmation from receiving entities,” Kingston Port Manager David Malone said.

Phone calls to New Orleans Regional Transit Authority and the FTA were not returned by deadline March 26.

The process has “lots of documents,” all of which need to be approved, Malone said. The decision mostly falls on the other end.

“There is potential for it to not happen,” Malone said. “We have not heard any indication …”

Because there are so many I’s to dot and T’s to cross, the process is long. But the interest is there.

A Washington state Department of Transportation representative informed port staff they are “working with their counterpart that oversees the Louisiana area to expedite the process,” according to the Feb. 12 Port of Kingston meeting minutes. “[New Orleans Regional Transit Authority] is very interested and excited to proceed.”

If the transfer did happen, the Port of Kingston would not receive anything. The port purchased the Express and main passenger ferry boat, Spirit of Kingston, with money from a $3.5 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

If the transfer does happen, the Express could either be shipped down to Louisiana on a barge or be piloted under its own power. The route, either way, would take the vessel through the Panama Canal.

As for the dock once used by the passenger ferry service, Malone said there are no plans. However, he looks forward to the port figuring out what can be done with it.