Reduced island ferry service this week

The 144-auto ferry Elwha will remain out of service while crews investigate and repair the vessel’s drive motor. Reduced capacity on San Juan Islands inter-island sailings will continue due to these necessary vessel repairs.

Engineers estimate that it will take a minimum of a week to identify the problem and establish a realistic repair schedule. More information is expected by Friday, April 3.

The 34-auto Hiyu, the ferry system’s only back-up vessel, is providing inter-island service.

WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) engineers made a decision late Tuesday evening, March 24, to remove the Elwha from service, after monitoring a worsening condition in one of its main propulsion electric drive motors. The Elwha was taken to WSF’s Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island.

Engineers are putting together a systematic troubleshooting plan to rule out various possible causes, but it is apparent that extensive investigation of the motor and control system will be necessary.