Potential service disruptions on all Kitsap Fast Ferries routes
Due to a shortage of spare vessels, Kitsap Transit fast ferry riders may experience more trip cancellations in October and November on all three of its cross-sound routes.
The M/V Finest is operating the Kingston/Seattle route, while the M/V Enetai is serving the Southworth/Seattle route. Neither route has a spare vessel available. Additionally, the two-boat Bremerton/Seattle route will face the same challenge starting October 29.
Without a spare vessel, Kitsap Transit may be forced to cancel all service on a ferry route until the vessel can be repaired. The Enetai is currently the only Kitsap Transit vessel capable of docking at the Washington State Ferries’ (WSF) automobile slip at Southworth.
The vessel shortage stems from three Kitsap Transit ferries going out of service for required repairs and U.S. Coast Guard dry dock inspections:
M/V Commander: The 250-passenger vessel typically operates the Kingston/Seattle route and is currently at a shipyard. Kitsap Transit expects to have Commander back in service by the end of November.
M/V Solano: The 250-passenger vessel backs up Enetai on the Southworth/Seattle route and is expected to return in early February of next year.
M/V Rich Passage 1: The 118-passenger vessel supports the Bremerton/Seattle route and will head to a shipyard on October 29 and is expected back in service by the end of November.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, a mechanical issue with Finest forced Kitsap Transit to cancel four of the afternoon’s six Kingston Fast Ferry sailings.
Alternative Travel Options for Impacted Customers
If fast ferry sailings are canceled, Kitsap Transit riders can use these existing alternatives:
Kingston Fast Ferry alternatives: Route 391-Kingston/Bainbridge and WSF Seattle/Bainbridge.
Southworth Fast Ferry alternatives: WSF Southworth/Vashon and King County Water Taxi Vashon/Seattle.
Bremerton Fast Ferry alternatives: WSF Bremerton/Seattle.
Customers can consult the ferry route’s schedule at kitsaptransit.com/ferries for details on alternative travel options in the event of multiple ferry cancellations.
Fast Ferry passholders who wish to request a refund for their WSF ticket purchased due to Fast Ferry cancellations should email fastferryfares@kitsaptransit.com and include the following information:
Date/Time of canceled Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry service
ORCA number
Copy of WSF receipt
First and last name
Phone number
Mailing address (for check delivery)
Automatic Canceled Ferry Trip Alerts
Kitsap Transit strongly encourages fast ferry customers to sign up for rider alerts by visiting kitsaptransit.com/alerts.
Starting today, riders who are subscribed to alerts for specific Local Foot Ferry and Fast Ferry routes will begin receiving automatic notifications if a ferry trip on their routes is canceled. Subscribers should pay attention to the “start date” and “end date” listed in the alert, as well as the affected time points listed.
Prior to implementing this feature, Kitsap Transit issued alerts manually on a case-by-case basis. The goal of the automatic alert system is to provide riders with more timely and accurate alerts when a ferry trip is canceled. Because the alerts are generated by software, they will follow templated language and have fewer details than alerts written by Kitsap Transit staff.
For canceled bus trips, Kitsap Transit will continue to issue alerts manually on a case-by-case basis and is working diligently to automate these alerts in the future.
For additional questions, please contact Customer Service at (360) 373-2877.