Date:  Friday, May 07, 2010

Contact: Marta Coursey, Director of Communications, 206-515-3918

Update: Friday, May 14: The 48-car Rhododendron returned to service on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route as of the 3:40 p.m. sailing departing from Point Defiance. This restores the route to its normal capacity.

POINT DEFIANCE – The 34-car Hiyu will replace the 90-car Sealth on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route for approximately one week beginning Monday, May 10. During this time, the Hiyu will make an extra mid-day trip departing from Point Defiance at 12:35 p.m. and Tahlequah at 1 p.m.

The Sealth is moving to the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route where it will replace the 124-car Issaquah which begins ten weeks of scheduled maintenance on May 10. Crews are refurbishing the passenger cabin, galley, crew quarters and elevators during the Issaquah’s maintenance period.

The Sealth has been serving on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route since Pierce County’s ferry, Christine Anderson, went into drydock on March 22. WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) loaned the Rhododendron to Pierce County for service between Steilacoom, and Anderson and Ketron Islands because Pierce County’s other ferry, Steilacoom II, is leased to WSF for use on the Port Townsend/Keystone route.

The Christine Anderson is scheduled to return to service after its maintenance is completed on Friday, May 14. This will allow the Rhododendron to return to service at Point Defiance/Tahlequah, restoring the route to its normal capacity.

Customers should plan for longer wait times during commute periods. Drivers are advised to arrive early and to consider using the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route for travel to and from Vashon Island.

For more ferry system information, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

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