Only Two-thirds of Ferry Fleet is in Service Statewide

— from KOMO News —

Nearly one-third of the state ferry fleet is currently out of service, forcing cutbacks and changes to some routes as officials scramble to cover all the bases.

Washington State Ferries spokesman Ian Sterling said seven of the fleet’s 23 vessels have been pulled from service.

Four of those seven could be operating, he said, but are being held in port while awaiting U.S. Coast Guard inspections. The Yakima, the Tokitae and the Kitsap are awaiting their annual Coast Guard safety certifications and the fourth, the Issaquah, is awaiting final Coast Guard approval after extensive steering system work.

Sterling said the Coast Guard inspections are required by law.

“There’s not a lot of wiggle room,” he said. “We generally try to schedule them during the slower winter months. It’s difficult to say exactly when each vessel will return to service as it depends on what the inspections may find.”

The three other out-of-service vessels are undergoing repairs and maintenance:

• The Walla Walla is in for its required annual Coast Guard safety certification and an engine rebuild.
• The Kennewick is in for required maintenance to life rafts and slides.
• The Wenatchee is in for propeller shaft seal repair after it was damaged by a crab pot line. Those repairs likely won’t be completed until next week.

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