WSF Adds a Ferry to San Juans Route

— from Washington State Ferries —

Beginning Saturday, July 29, M/V Chelan will join the Anacortes/San Juan Islands/Sidney route as the international vessel. M/V Hyak, M/V Samish, M/V Elwha, and M/V Tillikum will serve the domestic sailings. This will restore the route to full capacity, and regular Summer 2017 schedule operations will resume. Those who wish to travel to the San Juan Islands or Sidney, BC on Saturday, July 29 and beyond may make vehicle reservations starting Thursday, July 27 at 7 am by visiting www.takeaferry.com or calling 206-464-6400.

The 4-Boat Alternate Schedule will remain in place through Friday, July 28 and can be viewed at https://bit.ly/AnaSJsTempSchedule. New reservations remain unavailable for these dates. Customers with existing reservations will get priority on a first-come, first-served basis and stand-by customers will be loaded as space is available. Reservation holders are advised to arrive at least 60-90 minutes prior to any sailing they wish to take, and stand-by customers are advised to arrive at least 2 hours prior. Reservation holders who choose not to travel will not be charged a no-show fee and don’t need to cancel their reservation.

On Friday, July 28, there will be an additional unscheduled sailing from Anacortes to Orcas Island at 8:50 p.m.

WSF thanks you for your patience and understanding while we work to restore full service to these routes.

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5 Comments

Ed Sutton July 26, 2017 at 7:58 pm

HOORAY, hooray !!! Isn’t it ironic that we have all endured the uncertainty of travel on the ferries without a reservation system. Just like the old days!! I imagine that there are folks who have moved here recently that have no experience traveling on WSF as “every man for himself”.
Having served the community for over twenty years on the Ferry Advisory Committee, I noted that there was not one iota of information from that group on the problems we have been enduring with the Yakima out of service.
In the “old days” the FAC was VERY proactive and aggressively represented the interests of our County travelers. Committee chairs Bob Distler, Alex MacLeod and others pressed WSF to deal with our issues and advised the community of the state of every situation. WSF management was always responsive to our needs because our FAC participated in addressing those issues.
So, I would ask, do we still have an FAC? Do they actually do anything these days? Perhaps one or more of the members, some of whom served with me, have any comments?
Merry Bush July 27, 2017 at 6:59 am

It would sure be nice to have someone representing the needs of actual residents…..I talked to a resident who couldn’t get off to go to his grandfather’s funeral…
Virginia Reagles July 27, 2017 at 5:32 pm

Merry Bush – That’s awful. I went online today to make a reservation for Wednesday, August 16th for my annual eye doctor appointment and there was nothing showing from Orcas to Anacortes until after 5pm! I checked the the 15th and 14th, thinking I would stay over in Anacortes the day before, but still couldn’t get there. So, I’ll keep looking online and see if I can get on. If not I’ll have to postpone my appointment. Only problem is they are usually two or more months out. I hope the person you talked to will be able to get off for the funeral.
Pierrette Guimond July 27, 2017 at 8:42 pm

There is space available two days before all sailings .

I got online @ 7:00 am and got a reservation

Good luck!
Margot Shaw July 28, 2017 at 12:54 pm

All Islanders should know by now that, for securing a reservation, there are three “RELEASES” of vehicle space for every sailing:
1: 30% when the new schedule comes out..which means it could even be a couple of months in advance of that sailing;
2: 30% two weeks prior to the day of sailing, starting at 7:00 a.m.
3: 30% two days before sailing, 7:00 a.m.

The remaining 10% of spaces is always reserved for emergency vehicles and those with “doctor’s notes” . WSF urges those, however, to make reservations.
Drive-ups (no reservation) use the drive-up spaces.

This tier system was designed specifically to help us islanders. And it does. I have been able to get on my chosen sailing ever since the system started.

Perhaps FAC could take on the responsibility to periodically remind us of the system…newspaper & Orcas Issues.