MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Washington State Ferries vs crab pots: The price of the conflict

Jul 13, 2018, 1:16 PM | Updated: 1:37 pm

washington state ferries...

Crab pots tangled in Washington State Ferries have been causing hundreds of thousands in damage, and forcing officials to pull ferries from service. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

The summer season is a very busy time for the Washington State Ferries when several million people are expected to catch a boat.

But it is also a busy time for crab fishermen. However, improperly set crab pots can halt ferry travel.

“We actually had five ferries damaged by crab pots. Two of them were only superficial damage and it only took them out of service for a few hours,” Captain Scott Freiboth from the Washington State Ferries. “We used a submersible remote-controlled robot to asses that damage and were able to repair them almost immediately. The other three vessels were pulled from service which cut into our available ferries.”

RELATED: Has the Kitsap fast ferry service finally hit its stride?

Crab lines tangled in the shafts of vessels lead to some expensive repairs. The most severe damage went to the Salish ferry last summer where crab lines damaged the propulsion system according to WSF. This caused a domino effect with the other boats, leaving Washington State Ferries to shuffle vessels to other routes to accommodate service needs across the region.

“The first route that was effected was the Anacortes-Sydney run,” Freiboth said. “When a second boat went down we had to pull a boat from the Fauntleroy-Vashon southwards route. When one of the two boats at Port Townsend was damaged, we had to reduce that route to a single-boat course.”

Crab pots have cost hundreds of thousands in damage

Repairs to the vessels are costly, and crews often need to be shuffled to adapt.

“One of the vessels was damaged to the point where we had to take it to dry dock. That immediately runs it up into six figures.”

Crabbing opened to anglers June 30, but two areas around the San Juan islands will open later this summer to protect molting crab. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife expect this summer to be great for crabbing, but the Ferries need some help.

“If you’re fishing anywhere near a ferry route, be aware what is the scheduled route,” Freiboth said. “But also be aware that we have to make navigational changes. We’re not on a rigid rail. Whenever we encounter a hazard, be it anything from weather to a sail boat, then we need to go around. If you’re too close to where we sail, then your pot might be right in the way.”

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife mentioned that 12,000 crab pots are lost each year and some of those lost pots can and have caused damage and killed crabs. For pictures of the crab pot damaged vessels from last year and tips for crabbing go to the choke points section at MyNorthwest.com.

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

8 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

10 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

12 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

12 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

12 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

13 hours ago

Washington State Ferries vs crab pots: The price of the conflict