MUKILTEO, Wash. — Washington State Ferries (WSF) is operating without one of its ships — along one of its busiest routes — after it was damaged by a crab pot line.
The Suquamish, which runs between Mukilteo and Clinton, has been out of service due the line getting tangled it the boat's propeller shaft.
According to WSF, the relief vessels currently being used on the route hold fewer vehicles.
"Boarding wait times for customers in vehicles may be longer than previous July Fourth travel periods, especially if car capacity is downsized further for unexpected vessel maintenance, which includes ongoing repairs for crab pot line damage to the 144-car Suquamish," said Steve Nevey, an assistant secretary of WSDOT's ferries division.
"Crabbing is synonymous with the Pacific Northwest, just like our ferries. But they sure don't go well together. With many areas of the Salish Sea opening for recreational crab fishing Monday, July 1, we want to remind crab fishers to avoid our ferry lanes," Nevey wrote in a weekly newsletter.
On Saturday, motorists lined up at the Mukilteo terminal to head toward Whidbey Island for July 4th festivities, including Brett and Stacie Hoffman.
"We were doing live updates on how many cars, or slots, were available on the ferry and it seemed like we would catch the most recent one," said Brett Hoffman. "And here we are. We got bumped to the next one."
Ian Sterling, a WSF spokesperson, told KING 5 the repair work on the damaged vessel is nearly complete, with tests scheduled for the beginning of next week that could clear the way for it be sailing again before the holiday.
According to WSDOT, about 700,000 people are expected to ride the ferries between June 28 and July 7. The agency urges people to download its mobile app or use its website to follow sailing scheduled, live terminal conditions and monitor traffic cameras.