Ferry runs aground; Port Townsend-Coupeville route out of service
Jul 8, 2015, 9:04 AM | Updated: 12:22 pm
The Port Townsend ferry terminal is quiet on Wednesday morning after runs were canceled. The Kennewick boat hit bottom near the Coupeville side during the commute. (Washington State Ferries image)
(Washington State Ferries image)
The Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry route is out of service until further notice after the Kennewick boat ran aground while approaching Coupeville on Wednesday morning.
“It touched bottom as it approached the dock. People were able to get off the boat, but it also blocked the Salish, the other boat on the route, from being able to get in there,” Ian Sterling, with the Washington State Department of Transportation, told KIRO Radio.
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Sterling said it’s one of the more complicated areas the boats sail into. The bottom is mostly sand and mud, but divers will inspect the hull before service resumes.
Alternate routes are Edmonds/Kingston and Mukilteo/Clinton.
Washington State Ferries says reservation holders will not be charged a penalty if they’re not unable to travel Wednesday due to cancellations, and no new reservations are available for the remainder of the day due to the service disruption until further notice.
When the route goes back into service, reservation holders for any sailing today will be prioritized on a first come, first serve basis.
Check for service updates here.
