WSF Weekly Report | Chelan mishap, Seattle/Bainbridge work, new flagpole at Bainbridge

||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

Chelan damaged after likely hitting Shaw Island shore

It’s believed Chelan hit the northern shoreline of Shaw Island Sunday night. The boat was sailing into the eastern entrance of narrow Wasp Passage on its way to Friday Harbor when the incident occurred. There were four passengers aboard the San Juan Islands’ interisland vessel. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Upon initial inspection, a tear was found in the hull above the waterline. It has been temporarily patched. During an underwater assessment, divers discovered damage to a propeller, both rudders and the hull, which requires dry docking for repairs.

Currently docked at our Anacortes terminal, Chelan is scheduled to be towed to a shipyard next week to go into dry dock for repairs.

We’ve begun an internal investigation and are working with the Coast Guard in determining what led to the incident. Drug and alcohol tests of the crew have come back clear. The total cost to repair the damage and an estimate on how long the vessel will be out of service are unknown until we can evaluate the extent of repairs when the boat goes in dry dock. As always, safety is our number one priority. We will continue to work closely with our federal partners to determine exactly what happened and how to prevent this from occurring again.

2 weeks until Seattle/Bainbridge route vehicle closure

We’re two weeks away from the start of a six-day vehicle, motorcycle and bicycle closure of our Seattle/Bainbridge route that will allow construction crews to set four large bridge spans that will make up the new overhead walkway into place at our Bainbridge terminal. From 1 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, through 3 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, the run will operate on a one-boat schedule for walk-on and ADA passengers travelling without a vehicle. They will use the existing overhead walkway to board and get off a ferry.

We will accommodate emergency medical vehicles, in coordination with local emergency services. Kitsap Transit, King County Metro, Sound Transit and Seattle Electric Scooter and Bike Share (PDF 76KB)  provide transportation links for walk-ons on the route. Answers to some of the common questions about the vehicle closure can be found in our FAQ.

Because we’re operating our Seattle/Bainbridge route with just one boat during that time, the second vessel is available to provide unscheduled three-boat service on our Edmonds/Kingston run when crewing and vessel availability allows. It will operate around the current two-boat schedule there to handle additional vehicle traffic traveling to or from Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula.

KING 5 News shoots morning team promos at new Seattle terminal

When the entry building and elevated pedestrian walkway opened at Colman Dock on Aug. 3, the open-air area quickly filled with people snapping photos of the new facilities and the amazing views of the Seattle waterfront and beyond. Producers from KING 5 News liked it so much, they asked to film promotional videos of the morning news team using our photogenic new walkway and sights you can see from it as the backdrop. They should begin airing soon.

Community plays big role in installing new flagpole at Bainbridge terminal

A new flagpole was recently installed at our Bainbridge terminal thanks to Brad Staniewicz of Boy Scout Troop 1496 and a host of others in the community. For his Eagle Scout project, Brad raised money to replace the 65-year-old flagpole, which is a memorial for the late Walter Keys, who was responsible for much of the growth of the island. Following our approval, he quickly gained support from a variety of community members eager to help on the project. Brad is planning a ceremony on Veterans Day at the new flagpole.

Thousands traveling in and out of Port Townsend for weekend festival

We expect our Edmonds/ Kingston and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes to be extra busy this weekend due to the three-day THING festival of music and art at Fort Warden in Port Townsend. People boarding a ferry in a vehicle should plan for long waits or consider riding an early morning or late-night sailing, walking aboard or using alternate routes.