Ferry Sealth pulled for mechanical problems

The Ferry System pulled the ferry Tuesday and now says, "After troubleshooting, engineers have found damage to the engine output shaft, requiring the vessel to be out of service for an extended period of time."

On Thursday, the 34-car ferry Hiyu will replace the 87-car Evergreen State as the interisland ferry and the Evergreen State will shift over to replace the 90-car Sealth, now out of service for the long haul. The Evergreen State will run the Sealth's morning sailings and the 144-car Kaleetan will operate the afternoon sailings until further notice.

Meantime, for Wednesday, Jan. 6, the 6:20 am ferry from Anacortes to Lopez Island was cancelled, as are the 8:05 sailing from Friday Harbor to Anacortes, the 9:25 sailing from Anacortes to Lopez and the 10:20 am sailing from Lopez back to Anacortes.

The 11:20 a.m. sailing from Anacortes to Shaw and Orcas Island is also canceled as is the 12:20 p.m. sailing from Shaw and the 12:55 p.m. sailing from Orcas to Anacortes.

The Sealth was built in 1982 and was refitted in 2006.