Shared with The Sounder by Jim Corenman, Chair, San Juan County FAC
In a letter from John B. Vezina, Government Relations Liaison for Washington State Ferries, to the Ferry Advisory Committee the following information was released regarding the fire on the Yakima which interferred with ferry traffic on Tuesday, March 8:
“This morning at 10:25 a.m., while tied up at Friday Harbor’s main slip, deck crews reported smoke coming from a vent on the Yakima’s car deck. The engine crew investigated immediately and discovered a fire in the machine shop, near the control room, and immediately extinguished it. The fire was found to be electrical and the cause is under investigation. The fire was contained to a 2’x4’x6′ electrical panel (see attached picture).
The crew reacted quickly and there were no injuries from the fire. The Yakima had just begun loading at the time the smoke was reported, with only a few passengers on board. Although the fire was out within minutes, deck crews disembarked the few passengers on board and we suspended operation of the Yakima. It is currently moored in Friday Harbor and service there is suspended until the Yakima is towed from the slip, which is presently scheduled for approximately 2:30 p.m.
The US Coast Guard was promptly notified and the 10:30 a.m. sailing from Friday Harbor to Anacortes, cancelled. To minimize service impacts, we will be using the Chelan (at this time of year only used in the morning), on the Yakima’s afternoon sailings, until further notice. We have suspended new reservations and will give priority to existing reservation holders. Due to availability of vessels, we expect normal service to begin later today.”
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2:55 p.m.:
The Yakima has been towed from the Friday Harbor terminal and regular service will resume beginning with the 3:40 p.m. departure from Friday Harbor to Lopez and Anacortes. Reservation holders who were not able to travel will be prioritized on a first come, first serve basis over non-reservation holders. Reservation holders are encouraged to arrive 90 minutes in advance of departure. Information for travel on Wednesday, March 9, will be provided later this afternoon.
11:47 a.m.:
Due to loss of power on the Yakima, vessels are currently unable to arrive to and depart from the Friday Harbor terminal. A tug has been dispatched to move the vessel from the main slip down sound. This could take approximately 3 hours. Updates will occur as conditions change.
