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Post by ferryfast admin on Nov 26, 2007 12:54:13 GMT -5
Passenger-only ferries begin from Port Townsend
By LEVI PULKKINEN SEATTLE P-I REPORTER seattlepi.nwsource.com/
Passenger-only ferries began serving the Port Townsend-Keystone route Sunday to ease congestion caused by the closure of the route Tuesday because of problems with the aging ferry fleet there.
Citing safety concerns, Washington Ferries suspended service after significant pitting was found on the keel of one of the 80-year-old Steel Electric-class ferries serving the route. The boats are the only car-carrying ferries in the fleet capable of serving the shallow Keystone harbor.
The high-speed ferry M/V Snohomish, capable of carrying 149 passengers, began plying the route at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Ferries are scheduled to make the 30-minute crossing 20 times daily, first leaving Port Townsend at 6:30 a.m. and last departing Keystone at 7:30 p.m.
Transportation officials expect to adjust the schedule Tuesday to better coordinate with public transportation in Island County. A revised schedule will be available Monday afternoon at wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
P-I reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipulkkinen@seattlepi.com.
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