Foot ferry catches fire during Bremerton and Annapolis route

Vessel will be taken out of service until further notice

By Elisha Meyer Kitsap News Group • July 30, 2024 1:30 am
Michael Yakowenko courtesy photo Eyewitnesses catch an image of the Admiral Pete still smoking as it arrives at the Annapolis ferry dock.
Michael Yakowenko courtesy photo Eyewitnesses catch an image of the Admiral Pete still smoking as it arrives at the Annapolis ferry dock.

Kitsap Transit’s Admiral Pete foot ferry has been taken off its route until further notice after catching fire in the middle of a July 29 sailing.

KT officials said the crew aboard the boat noticed smoke coming from the engine room as it was traveling from Bremerton to Annapolis. The discovery prompted an emergency response from the Waterman foot ferry serving the Bremerton-Port Orchard route. The vessel’s crew reportedly pulled alongside the smoking boat and pumped water to cool it from the outside.

Crews from South Kitsap Fire and Rescue were called to the site of the Annapolis ferry dock just after 4 p.m., though the response from the crew aboard the Waterman appeared to have extinguished the fire.

The extent of the damage is unknown thus far, but there were no injuries to the passengers and crew.

The Bremerton-Port Orchard and Bremerton-Annapolis routes are expected to be served by the Waterman and Carlisle II respectively while the Admiral Pete is assessed and repaired.