Kingston fast ferry sailings resume; operating at reduced service

By Staff report • August 30, 2024 1:30 am
File photo Kingston fast ferry service returned to reduced service Aug. 31 after sailings were canceled multiple days due to boat shortages.
File photo Kingston fast ferry service returned to reduced service Aug. 31 after sailings were canceled multiple days due to boat shortages.

The Kingston fast ferry will temporarily operate at a reduced level of service with the Rich Passage 1 or similar vessel until further notice, Kitsap Transit announced Aug. 30.

The primary vessels on the Kingston and Southworth routes, M/V Enetai and M/V Commander, are out of service due to a failed part in the jet propulsion system. The M/V Finest, the backup vessel for Kingston, is also out of service for repairs.

Starting Aug. 31, KT will operate most regularly scheduled Saturday sailings. The 4:25 p.m. sailing from Seattle and 5:20 p.m. sailing from Kingston will be suspended until further notice. Weekday service will resume Sept. 2. 10:45 a.m. weekday sailings from Seattle to Kingston are suspended.

KT is suspending these sailings because RP1 doesn’t hold as much fuel as the regular ferries that operate the Kingston/Seattle route and, as a result, can’t operate as many trips, a news release states.RP1 is a 118-passenger vessel with about half of the passenger capacity of the Finest and Commander. Additionally, the vessel has more restrictions on bicycles and scooters than the Finest and Commander.

Repairs on the Enetai and the Finest are progressing ahead of schedule, and the agency hopes to return both vessels to service in mid-September. At that time, Enetai will operate the Southworth-Seattle route, and the M/V Solano and Finest will operate the Kingston-Seattle route.