Date:
Friday, January 11, 2008
Contact:
Susan Harris-Huether, Customer Information Manager, 206-515-3460
Hiyu to Operate on San Juan Islands Inter-Island Route Beginning in Early-February
SEATTLE - Washington State Ferries announced today that the switch from an 87-car Evergreen State class vessel to a smaller ferry, the 34-car Hiyu, has been delayed until early-February. The Hiyu is currently at Dakota Creek shipyard in Anacortes undergoing maintenance and repairs.
The Hiyu was to replace the Evergreen State on the San Juan Islands Inter-Island route next week, but the shipyard needs more time to finish repairs. The 87-car Klahowya will replace its sister ship the Evergreen State this weekend, January 13 and will remain on the Inter-Island route until the Hiyu is available.
Even though the winter months see less inter-island traffic than in summer months, WSF expects some sold out sailings while the smaller Hiyu is on the route. The Hiyu will operate on the regular schedule.
Background
The smallest and most unique car ferry in the WSF fleet, the Hiyu carries 34 vehicles and 200 passengers. The Hiyu, which has two separate passenger cabins and no elevator, was the inter-island vessel in the summers of 1986 and 1988 and in the Fall/Winter/Spring schedules of 1990-1998 on the San Juan Islands route before becoming a relief vessel. The vessel has been used throughout the system to fill-in for vessels that are out for maintenance and repairs.
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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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