Date:
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Contact:
Marta Coursey, WSF Director of Communications
SEATTLE - Washington State Ferries (WSF) said today that the Port Townsend-Keystone route will continue to operate on a two-boat regular schedule, despite reports that the Nisqually may be taken off the route and service reduced to one vessel. The Nisqually and the Klickitat will operate on the published summer schedule, which is available online at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.
On Sunday, July 29, a slow leak was discovered in the stern tube (part of the vessel steering system) of the Illahee. The Illahee was removed from service and taken to Todd Shipyard in Seattle for repairs. On Monday, July 30, the Nisqually was brought to Port Townsend to replace it and will remain in service on this route, along with the Klickitat, for approximately two weeks while the Illahee is in the shipyard for repair and another Steel Electric, the Quinault, is in for U.S. Coast Guard inspection and maintenance.
"WSF's number one priority is to provide safe service," said WSF Executive Director Mike Anderson. "We are committed to working with the U.S. Coast Guard to make sure that the Steel Electric class vessels are thoroughly inspected and maintained."
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No Ordinary Journey
Created on June 1, 1951, Washington State Ferries (WSF) is the largest ferry system in the United States and the largest ferry system in the world based on vehicles carried. More than 24 million people a year ride the ferries and over 30,000 vehicles a day use this critical link in the state highway system. WSF has a fleet of 26 vessels and operates 20 terminals throughout Puget Sound.
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