Date:  Friday, March 27, 2009

Contact: Marta Coursey, Communications Director, 206-515-3918
Susan Harris-Huether, Senior Programs Manager, 206-515-3460

SEATTLE – The 144-auto ferry Elwha will remain out of service while crews investigate and repair the vessel’s drive motor. Reduced capacity on San Juan Islands inter-island sailings will continue due to these necessary vessel repairs. Engineers estimate that it will take a minimum of a week to identify the problem and establish a realistic repair schedule. More information is expected by Friday, April 3.

The 34-auto Hiyu, the ferry system’s only back-up vessel, is providing inter-island service. Various vessel moves will occur this weekend to ensure that adequate service is provided for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. Customers should take care in making travel plans this weekend, and should arrive at the terminal early to ensure that they can travel on their desired sailing.

WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) engineers made a decision late Tuesday evening, March 24, to remove the Elwha from service, after monitoring a worsening condition in one of its main propulsion electric drive motors. The Elwha was taken to WSF’s Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island. Engineers are putting together a systematic troubleshooting plan to rule out various possible causes, but it is apparent that extensive investigation of the motor and control system will be necessary.

Updates will be provided when more information becomes available. For more ferry system information, please visit the WSF Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.  To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, click on the link in the far left column of the Web site.

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