During maintenance, crews found that the engine foundations of the M/V Guemes were in worse condition than originally expected; as a result, crews discovered cracks to the z-drive mounting brackets located below deck. Additional steel work is necessary to repair the engine foundations and z-drive mounting brackets.
“The M/V Guemes has two z-drives,” said Rachel Rowe, Ferry Operations Division Manager. “They’re propulsion and steering units that can rotate 360 degrees, and eliminate the need for a rudder to steer the vessel.”
Rowe said there was no way to anticipate the condition of the engine foundations or z-drive mounting brackets until the vessel was in dry dock. Repairs can only be made when the vessel is out of the water.
The passenger-only vessel Strait Arrow will remain in service, as will Skagit Transit on Guemes Island, until work on the M/V Guemes is complete.