Bremerton/Seattle route affected by issues with MV Sealth

Half-hour delays began Friday morning on the Seattle/Bremerton ferry route due to what WSDOT called "necessary maintenance." Updates posted as they arrive.

December 7, 2012 12:18 pm
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UPDATE (Sun., 1:46 p.m.):

The following update was provided by WSDOT.

Due to repair needs on three vessels, ferry service  on the Seattle/Bremerton route and the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will be reduced for the week of Dec. 10-14.

Seattle/Bremerton: The 124-car Kitsap and the 64-car Salish will provide service supported by Kitsap Transit’s passenger only ferry, Rich Passage 1 which carries 118 people. THIS PO ferry will provide two extra sailings during the morning and evening commutes.  The slower Salish carries 750 passengers and requires a longer transit so the 1:30 p.m. sailing from Seattle and the 3 p.m. sailing from Bremerton will be canceled this week. The Kitsap Transit PO Ferry sails from Pier 50 in Seattle and the passenger ferry terminal in Bremerton. PO sailings will be 6:20 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. from Seattle, 5:35 a.m. and 7:12 a.m. from Bremerton. Evening PO sailings will be  5:07 p.m. and 6:43 p.m. from Seattle and 4:20 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. from Bremerton.

UPDATE (Sat., 3:29 p.m.): The 3 p.m. and 4:20 sailings on the Seattle/Bremerton route have been canceled. WSDOT reported the slower speed of the Salish as the reason for the cancellations. Expect delays throughout the weekend due to slower speeds and lower capacity. If planning to attend the Seahawks game on Sunday, view WSDOT’s suggestions.

UPDATE (7:52 p.m.): WSDOT reports that the Salish is running one hour behind after being switched in for the Sealth earlier this afternoon. Expect delays throughout the rest of the evening. The Seattle/Bremerton route will continue to have reduced capacity as the Salish operates on the route through the end of Sunday.

UPDATE (12:48 p.m.):

The following update was provided by Marta Coursey, director of communications for WSDOT Ferries.

· During a routine overnight hull inspection Thursday, Dec. 6/Friday, Dec. 7, crews discovered a leaking seam in the hull on the No. 2 end on the port side of the Sealth, approx. 4′ 3″ below the waterline.

· Friday morning at 8:20 a.m. a port engineer and USCG inspector inspected the vessel. The seam was leaking and flexing while the vessel was underway. The joint decision was made to remove the vessel from service.

· We are removing the Sealth from service and replacing it with the 64-car Salish (which has been in standby status at Eagle Harbor) beginning with the 3 p.m. sailing from Bremerton (4:20 p.m. sailing from Seattle) through Sunday (#1 position). There will be no wi-fi or galley service on the Salish while it is on the Bremerton route, and it has limited vending machine choices.

· On Monday, Dec. 10:

    • The Salish will be moved to the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route, joining the 87-car Klahowya and the 87-car Tillikum, for a minimum of a week. This will allow us to have three-boat service on the Triangle route, but with reduced capacity, and no wi-fi service on the Salish.
    • The 124-car Issaquah will be moved to the Seattle/Bremerton route (currently on the Triangle route). The Issaquah has wi-fi, but galley service may not be available at the beginning of the week.

· We are making arrangements with Dakota Creek Shipyard in Anacortes to perform an emergency drydocking to repair the seam in the Sealth, at this time scheduled for Dec. 15-17, subject to the completion of the barge currently on their drydock.

· The estimated cost of the shipyard work is  $93,971.

· A series of boat moves is scheduled for Dec. 17. It is important that the Sealth is back in service so these boat moves can occur.

UPDATE (11:46 a.m.): The Sealth will be replaced by the Salish starting with the 3 p.m. sailing today, Dec. 7. The Salish has a 64-car capacity, 26 fewer than the 90-car Sealth. The Sealth had been operating as a replacement vessel on the Bremerton/Seattle route, already reducing capacity from the 144-car Kaleetan.

WSDOT said in a release that the the Salish should continue as the replacement boat until the end of service on Sunday, Dec. 9. On Monday, Dec. 10, the Salish will be replaced by the 124-car Issaquah.

Customers should expect long lines over the weekend, according to WSDOT. Wi-fi and galley service will not be available on the Salish. Limited vending machine options are available.

When the Issaquah replaces the Salish on Monday, Wi-fi should again be available. However, WSDOT  said galley service may not be available at the beginning of the week.

UPDATE (10:16 a.m.): WSDOT reports that the 11:10 ferry on the Seattle/Bremerton route will be affected now as well. They believe the delay will be around 24 minutes.

UPDATE: The 8:30 a.m. sailing from Seattle to Bremerton was delayed 30 minutes. The 9:45 a.m. sailing from Bremerton to Seattle should arrive 30 minutes late, around 10:15 a.m.

WSDOT: The 8:30am sailing from Seattle to Bremerton is delayed due to necessary maintenance to the Sealth. This will delay the 9:45am sailing from Bremerton to Seattle. We apologize for the inconvenience. Updates will occur when more information becomes available.

For Ferry information, go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

Comments or suggestions on WSDOT ferries may be sent to WSFAlert@wsdot.wa.gov

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