Date:  Friday, September 04, 2009

Contact:

Susan Harris-Huether, Customer Information Manager , 206-515-3460

SEATTLE – The 202-car ferry Wenatchee will return to service this afternoon on the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route after crews repaired damage from the vessel’s hard landing Sunday morning, Aug. 30. Other vessels moved last weekend will return to their previous route assignments: the Puyallup to Edmonds/Kingston (restoring normal vehicle capacity on that route), and the Hyak to Seattle/Bremerton (restoring two auto ferries to that route). It is expected that the Hyak will make a late 4:20 p.m. departure from Seattle.

“It has been a very difficult week for our Bremerton customers and we really appreciate their patience,” said David Moseley, Assistant Secretary for WSF. “Crews worked double shifts since Sunday, and I’m relieved that they were able to repair the Wenatchee in time for service on the busy Labor Day weekend.” Crews also worked around the clock to repair Slip 3 at Colman Dock in Seattle, which was damaged by the Wenatchee’s hard landing.

WSF reminds travelers to allow extra time for ferry travel this weekend. The longest backups are expected Friday afternoon and evening, Sept. 4, Sunday afternoon and evening, Sept. 6, and Monday morning, Sept. 7.

The heaviest westbound traffic is anticipated between 3 and 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Return traffic is anticipated to be heaviest Sunday afternoon and evening, Sept. 6, and morning through early afternoon sailings on Labor Day, Sept. 7, as people return early to prepare their children to return to school.

WSF will operate ferry service on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7) as below. Holiday schedule details are published in the summer schedule; you can pick up a copy at terminals, on vessels, or download a copy from our Web site (see below).

• Anacortes/San Juan Islands: regular weekday schedule
• Edmonds/Kingston: regular weekday schedule
• Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: holiday schedule
• Mukilteo/Clinton: regular weekday schedule
• Point Defiance/Tahlequah: holiday schedule
• Port Townsend/Keystone: regular weekday schedule (reservations are strongly recommended – visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or call 511 to make a reservation)
• Seattle/Bainbridge: holiday (Saturday) schedule
• Seattle/Bremerton: regular weekday schedule
• Seattle/Vashon passenger-only: not in service on holiday

Waits and advance arrival recommendations vary by route. Travelers needing specific information can call WSF customer service at 511 or check the 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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