Date:
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Contact:
Susan Harris-Huether, Senior Programs Manager, Customer Information and
SEATTLE - WSDOT Ferries Division announced today that ferry service will resume on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route starting with the first scheduled sailing on Thursday, March 6. The 34-car Hiyu will provide service on the route until the route's regular vessel, the 48-car Rhododendron, is ready to return to service later this week.
"I am really pleased that we are able to restore service to the south end of Vashon Island quickly," said David Moseley, Assistant Secretary, WSDOT Ferries Division. "Our maintenance crews are working very hard to repair the Rhododendron and get her back in service as soon as possible."
The Hiyu has been in the shipyard for maintenance and repair since December and is scheduled to begin service on the San Juan Islands inter-island route on Monday, March 10. Shipyard workers were able to finish work on the Hiyu a few days early so the vessel could fill in for the Rhododendron on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route before moving up to the San Juan Islands this weekend.
"I want to thank the Vashon community and regular users of the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route for their patience and resiliency during this time," said Moseley. "I am aware of the inconvenience this has caused."
Over the last few days, WSDOT has sent out frequent e-mail service updates and worked directly with customers to help mitigate the effects of cancelling service. This included assisting commuters and families of schoolchildren in forming temporary carpools for priority loading at the Vashon and Fauntleroy terminals.
On Saturday, March 1 the Rhododendron developed a mechanical problem and was removed from the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route for repairs. The 87-car Evergreen State provided service on Saturday night and Sunday, but there has been no service on the route from Monday through Wednesday, March 3-5.
WSDOT continues to make temporary service adjustments to maintain and inspect ferries system wide. The Ferries Division will tell customers about temporary service changes as soon as information is available. Please visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/service for more information on upcoming temporary service changes caused by planned vessel dry-docking and maintenance.
Customers are advised to check the Ferries Division website, http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/, or call 1-888-808-7977 for the latest schedule information.
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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 28 vessels and operates 20 terminals throughout Puget Sound.
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