Kitsap Transit will resume operating its Kingston Fast Ferry service Wednesday afternoon with the M/V Melissa Ann.

The 240-passenger M/V Finest has been undergoing repairs since August 5 and is anticipated that the vessel will return to service during the week of September 22, although the timeline could shift due to unforeseen circumstances, according to Kitsap Transit officials.

The Finest is currently having its water jets rebuilt, as well as replacing its torsional couplings. The shipyard where the vessel is currently undergoing repairs is machining some parts and ordering other parts from Sweden, the press release states.

“We are aware the Melissa Ann has reached capacity on some sailings, particularly the 7:05 a.m. departure from Kingston and the 5:05 p.m. departure from Seattle,” the statement reads. “If you have flexibility in your schedule, there is plenty of capacity on earlier and later sailings.”

“Our bus riders have priority to board the Kingston Fast Ferry. Kitsap Transit is honoring a promise it made last year to the community, which has consistently expressed concern about fast-ferry customers parking their vehicles in downtown Kingston and making street traffic congestion worse.”

For additional questions, call customer service at 800-501-RIDE or email kitsapride@kitsaptransit.com