By Margie Doyle
9:03 p.m. from Washington State Ferries
The Hyak is returning to service with the 9pm sailing from Anacortes to Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas.
5:10 p.m. from Washington State Ferries
The 6:45pm sailing from Anacortes to Lopez has been cancelled. This will also cancel the 7:35pm sailing from Lopez to Anacortes. Updates will occur as more information is available.
4:45 p.m. from Washington State Ferries
The 6:30pm sailing from Friday Harbor to Anacortes will make an unscheduled stop at Orcas Island at 7:20pm to pick up vehicles and walk-on passengers. Updates will occur when more information becomes available.
4:11 p.m. from Washington State Ferries
The 3:50pm sailing from Anacortes to Shaw and Orcas is cancelled. This will also cancel the 5:20pm sailing from Orcas to Shaw and Anacortes. Updates will occur when more information becomes available.
3:44 p.m. from Chief Kevin O’Brien
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is on location at the Orcas Ferry Landing assisting an adult male involved in a marine accident which occurred in the waters near Orcas Island. The male is in stable condition and is being transported to Peace Island Hospital on San Juan Island for observation.
The incident is under investigation by the US Coast Guard and the San Juan County Sheriff. Any questions regarding the incident should be directed to those agencies.
Damaged sailboat in tow after being struck by Hyak. Photo: Clyde Duke
2:45 p.m. from eyewitness reports
Eyewitness reports from ferry passengers on the WSF vessel to Orcas Island state that the ferry hit a sailboat in the fog. It was reported that the sailors were picked up and the ferry proceeded directly to Friday Harbor.
2:30 p.m. from Washington State Ferries
The 2:20 pm sailing from Orcas to Anacortes is cancelled. The next available sailing from Orcas to Anacortes is at 5:20 pm. Updates will occur when more information becomes available.
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Thanks for the scoop, Ms. Doyle. Many of us are stuck in line at Anacortes, and we’re watching you as our only source of information. (Terminal will only tell us that 3:50 was cancelled, the next scheduled sailing is 7:20, and that they have no further information). We’re refreshing over 4G, hanging on your every update. THANK YOU!
I was cell-phone contacted at 2:20 by an observer on the ferry a few minutes after the collision. Hyak, moving very slowly in the fog, collided with a sailboat causing the ferry to list to the side as the sailboat scraped by. Recovery crew got the rescue boat in the water rapidly, but could not get the engine started. Fortunately, nearby private boats came to assist. Only one person aboard. Sailboat was towed away, but was sinking rapidly. Ferry proceeded on to Orcas. Fortunate for everyone.
Channel 5 has excellent coverage.
Thanks for your coverage of this, Margie! It sounds like no one was seriously injured. What a relief.
I was near the junction of Harney and Upright Channels when we saw the ferry and within seconds heard the mayday call on channel 16 broadcast by another boat near the scene. There were low clouds, but it was NOT foggy, visibility was good as you can see in the photos showing the boat being towed by the sherrif’s boat. I don’t know why the ferry didn’t blast their horn, or attempt to avoid a collision. Nor do I understand how a small boat allowed himself to be so close to the ferry, though I’ve heard a rumor that the sailboat capt was below deck at the time of the collision.
The sailing vessel was a Fisher 25, a pilot house model. The skipper would have been at the wheel which is inside the substantial wheelhouse. Most likely what saved his life.