Washington State Ferries will restore two-boat service to the Seattle/Bremerton route starting June 15, the agency announced May 7.

The return of near-full domestic ferry operations comes three years ahead of the agency’s original plan, following a directive from Gov. Bob Ferguson earlier this year that prioritized increased service amid growing summer demand.

The Seattle/Bremerton route is one of several set to benefit from expanded operations this season. The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth “Triangle” route will resume its pre-pandemic three-boat schedule June 30.

“We could not bring back more ferry service without our highly skilled crews,” the agency stated.

With the restoration, 18 vessels will be active in the fleet this summer. However, officials caution that staffing challenges remain, particularly when it comes to filling relief positions. The risk of short-term cancellations due to crew shortages or mechanical issues with the aging fleet still exists.

WSF has updated its Service Contingency Plan to offer greater transparency in how it handles vessel assignments and service disruptions, including route restrictions and vessel deployment protocols.