Date:
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Contact:
Marta Coursey, Communications Director, (206) 515-3918
SEATTLE-Beginning Monday, February 4, the Steilacoom II, a 50-car vessel that Washington State Ferries (WSF) is leasing from Pierce County, will begin crew familiarization and training operations on the Port Townsend/Keystone route. During this time crews will gain experience operating the vessel, familiarize themselves with vessel equipment and perform routine safety drills. Local residents will see the vessel landing at the terminals and maneuvering in and out of Keystone Harbor.
WSF is working hard to return vehicle ferry service to the Port Townsend/Keystone route as soon as possible. Crew training will last approximately one week and vehicle ferry service with the Steilacoom II is expected to resume in early February. An exact service date will be announced once training begins.
When the Steilacoom II arrives in Port Townsend on Monday, Port Townsend/Keystone passenger-only service will be operated by Puget Sound Express out of Hudson Point Marina.
Currently, Port Townsend/Keystone passenger-only service is provided by WSF's passenger vessel Snohomish from the Port Townsend and Keystone ferry terminals. But, once the Steilacoom II arrives, there will be no room at the Port Townsend terminal to accommodate the Snohomish. The Klickitat, the 80-year-old Steel Electric class vessel retired from service in November 2007, is moored in one slip, and the other slip will be used for Steilacoom II training and night tie-up.
Puget Sound Express will provide service from Hudson Point Marina in Port Townsend to Keystone Harbor. Hudson Point Marina is located at 227 Jackson, a half mile north of the Port Townsend ferry dock. The passenger-only schedule will remain the same. Customers currently parking at the Port Townsend Terminal are encouraged to move their vehicles to Point Hudson Marina by Monday.
Customers are encouraged to check WSF's web site for ferry schedules and updates on service at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ or call 1-888-808-7977. Service and weather cancellations are updated regularly.
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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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