KEYSTONE — Car ferry service is scheduled to begin again Saturday between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend, and perhaps not a moment too soon for people who have braved the bumpy crossing in a smaller passenger-only boat.
The Snohomish, a high-speed passenger-only ferry, was knocked out of service Thursday after being slammed by a wave while crossing Admiralty Inlet, the second time that has happened since Feb. 1.
None of the nine passengers or crew aboard the Snohomish was injured in the 9:30 a.m. incident, but the wave “blew two of the starboard doors in, and seawater came inside,” said Marta Coursey, communications director for the ferry system.
Swells were up to 6 feet at the time, and the wind was reported blowing at 11 knots. The mishap occurred at the same location on the run where the Snohomish was hit by a powerful wave a week ago, causing damage to the vessel and terrifying passengers.
The Snohomish may resume carrying passengers this morning, depending on repairs and Coast Guard approval, Coursey said.
Meanwhile, the ferry system is gearing up to resume a more regular winter schedule on the run, using the 50-car ferry Steilacoom II, a vessel being leased from Pierce County. The first run could come as early as 6:30 a.m. Saturday, with departure from Port Townsend.
Ferry crews on Thursday completed tests of the Steilacoom II and received Coast Guard approval to begin carrying people, cars and freight on the challenging run.
Crews spent the week practicing with the ferry, including making repeated landings at Port Townsend and at narrow Keystone Harbor on Whidbey Island, Coursey said.
Today, state lawmakers and others were scheduled to accompany ferry crews on a couple of additional practice runs.
The ferry system is moving forward with plans to build one or more Steilacoom II-style ferries to serve the Keystone-to-Port Townsend run.
The route has been reduced to passenger-only service since November. That’s when State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond pulled from service the Steel Electric-class ferries that had served the route for decades. Ferry officials determined the 80-year-old boats had too much trouble with cracks and corrosion, and they feared the Coast Guard would order the boats tied up if one more problem was found, documents show.
Reporter Scott North: 425-339-3431 or north@heraldnet.com.
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