Ferry service is back on schedule, but car space will continue to be scarcer than usual on the Bainbridge-Seattle run, following mechanical problems that forced the ferry system to shuffle its fleet.
The MV Tacoma, one of two large ferries that normally serve the route, suffered rudder damage yesterday afternoon, leaving only one vessel to do the work of two until a back-up boat was brought in late in the evening.
It is unknown how long the Tacoma will be out of service, but a press release from Washington State Ferries said the vessel will be dry-docked while the damage is repaired.
Meanwhile, the 144-car M.V. Hyak, which usually serves the Bremerton-Seattle route, is sailing in place of the 202-car Tacoma on the Bainbridge-Seattle run. Because of the impact to car space, WSF is encouraging passengers to walk-on and use public transportation. Passenger space has not been impacted by the shuffle.
WSF issued an apology to ferry riders, who during rush hour Tuesday endured wait times that were twice as long as usual before the Hyak restored normal service, beginning with the 9 p.m. sailing from Seattle.
Updates will be posted at the WSF website, www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
