PORT TOWNSEND — Two-boat service went into effect on the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry route just in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend.
The MV Salish, which shares the route with the MV Kennewick during the summer, was scheduled to begin May 6 when a routine inspection of the Salish found that one of the three rudder parts had shown severe wear and needed replacement.
During repairs, it was discovered that one other propeller needed the same work, according to John Vezina, a state ferries spokesman.
The Salish stayed in Anacortes for the repair as the ferry system announced the delay with a completion goal of May 26.
First sailing Friday
This was missed by one day, as its first sailing took place at 10:15 a.m. Friday.
During the winter, the Kennewick serviced the Port Townsend-Coupeville route alone while the Salish plied the Port Defiance-Tahlequah route and then was used as a backup for ferries needing service.
“We didn’t have another vessel to put on the route,” Vezina said.
“So the only option was to postpone two-boat service for three weeks. “
Standard two-boat service increases the daily sailings from 20 to 36 through the summer months.
Ridership differs significantly in the summer from the winter, with 787,000 passengers tallied in July 2015 compared with 385,000 in January 2015.
“We are going through a growth period and expect ridership will be higher this year,” said spokesman Brian Mannion.
To accommodate the absence of the Salish , the ferry system added two late sailings from Fridays through Mondays — at 10 p.m. from Port Townsend and 10:45 p.m. from Coupeville.
The route is one that accepts reservations, with those booking in advance loading first.
During the past three weeks, reservations have been at a premium, Vezina said.
To streamline service, the state Department of Transportation has published a free phone app on Apple and Android platforms that provides schedules, crossing times and a graphic that shows how many drive-up spaces are available at the terminal.
The app also displays vehicle locations and provides access to the cameras at each terminal, as well as connects directly to the reservation system, which is active on the Coupeville-Port Townsend route.
For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.