Kingston ferry route back to two boats

Published 3:58 pm Friday, October 10, 2008

KINGSTON — The Kingston/Edmonds Ferry route is once again running with two boats.

After the Walla Walla was taken out of commission Monday to repair its thrust shaft, Washington State Ferries (WSF) officials borrowed the 144-car Hyak from the Bremerton/Seattle route.

Susan Harris, senior programs manager for customer information and communications, said the boat isn’t as big as the 188-car Walla Walla but it’s the only boat that seemed feasible to borrow.

According to a WSF press release, the Bremerton/Seattle route is running with the 144-car Kaleetan and received assistance by a passenger only boat from private operator Victoria Clipper.

The release states the decision was made because the Bremerton route has more walk-on passengers and the Kingston route carries more vehicles.

“The Kingston/Edmonds is a major commercial route carrying a large number of Port Townsend/Keystone commercial vehicles,” Harris said. “The Port Townsend/Keystone only carries four vehicles over 20 feet per load. Because of that we needed to keep that commercial corridor open.”

The 188-car Walla Walla currently awaits repairs at the Everett Shipyard.

Harris said repairs are expected to take two weeks.

For an updated schedule visit the WSF Web site www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.