Kitsap Transit’s fast ferry M/V Finest returned to service on the Kingston/Seattle route Monday morning, following repairs to the vessel’s starboard jet propulsion system.

The Finest was dropped from service last week following a malfunction with a component in the propulsion system, prompting Kitsap Transit to issue a warning to commuters alerting them that certain crossings throughout the day could become completely filled up.

According to Kitsap Transit spokesperson Sanjay Bhatt, the ferry’s starboard impeller housing had developed a leak. Repairs, he explained, were minor enough that it was not necessary for the vessel to be hauled out of the water for mechanics with Nichols Brothers Boat Builders to remedy the problem. Nichols Brothers is the group responsible for recent refurbishments to the Finest, ahead of the ferry’s inception into Kitsap Transit service.

The 172-passenger, backup ferry Melissa Ann swapped in for the Finest while it was out of commission.

Officials with Kitsap Transit are urging commuters to ride buses and walk onto ferries instead of driving due to heavy congestion on downtown Seattle streets following the temporary closure of a section of State Route 99 and the permanent closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Visit kitsaptransit.com/Realign99 for more information and ideas on how travelers can get to their destinations in Seattle without driving.

—Nick Twietmeyer is a reporter with Kitsap News Group. Nick can be reached at ntwietmeyer@soundpublishing.com