Date:  Thursday, January 22, 2009

Contact: Marta Coursey, Director of Communications, 206-515-3918

PORT TOWNSEND - The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) will continue to provide passenger-only service on the Port Townsend/Keystone route through mid-February, approximately two weeks longer than first expected.

The auto ferry WSF has leased for regular service on that route, Pierce County's Steilacoom II, is in drydock for routine maintenance and its U.S. Coast Guard required annual inspection. Todd Pacific Shipyards repair crews recently discovered that additional work is needed on the vessel, which will extend its drydock period.

The Steilacoom II went into drydock the first week of January, and WSF and Pierce County expected the vessel to be out of service for approximately four weeks. However, it is not uncommon to find additional maintenance or repair needs when a vessel goes in for a routine drydocking.

Additional work on the Steilacoom II includes keel cooler replacement, and work on the propeller shafts and gear box. Shipyard crews are working hard to return the ferry to service as soon as possible. It is currently anticipated that it will return to service on Sunday, Feb. 15.

WSF will extend its contract with Mystic Sea Charters of Anacortes, which has been providing passenger-only service since Jan. 5 on the 77-passenger Mystic Sea. The temporary passenger-only schedule will continue while the Mystic Sea is serving the route. WSF designed the schedule to coordinate as closely as possible with transit service on both sides of the route.

Customers can receive updates on Port Townsend/Keystone service, as well as other routes, by signing up for free e-mail alerts. To sign up, and for more ferry system information, please visit the WSDOT Ferries Division Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.

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