Port Townsend-Coupeville route resumes with one-boat service

COUPEVILLE, Wash. — The Washington State Ferries Port Townsend-Coupeville route was temporarily out of service after the vessel Salish experienced a rudder steering failure Tuesday.

One-boat service with the Kennewick will resume on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route with the 12:30 p.m. sailing from Port Townsend Tuesday.

WSF said the Salish brushed the bottom of Keystone Harbor, which is very shallow during low tides, Tuesday morning.

The cause of the steering failure is under investigation.

The Salish was moved to the Coupeville terminal, where all passengers disembarked.

Because there was only one slip at the terminal, another boat could not be brought in until the Salish was moved.  WSF had to wait to get Coast Guard approval before it could move the Salish to Port Townsend.

Reservation holders for all sailings will be prioritized on a first-come first-served basis for all in service sailings with Kennewick. New reservations will be unavailable for the remainder of the day.

WSF says reservation holders for all sailings will be prioritized on a first-come first-served basis for all sailings on the Kennewick. New reservations will be unavailable for the remainder of the day Tuesday.

Cox Media Group