Eric Osnes, manager of Kingston’s new SoundRunner passenger ferry, has been fired, the Port of Kingston announced Friday afternoon.

Port commissioners relieved Osnes of duty because he did not live in the North Kitsap area, a prerequisite for the job, a press release from commission Chairman Pete DeBoer said.

Osnes helmed the passenger ferry service program since March. Following a celebrated inaugural run on Oct. 18, several runs were canceled early this week due to high seas.

“This criteria for employment and local involvement became apparent early this week when the morning departure from Kingston to Seattle had to be aborted due to weather seven minutes into the run. Due to some personal and family issues, Captain Osnes has not been able to relocate from North Seattle to the local area and not knowing when he would be able to make a move the commissioners have decided to terminate him,” the release states.

A review of the port’s previous management candidates has turned up one or two well-qualified replacements and a decision on hiring could occur over the weekend, according to the release.

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