Washington State Ferries will begin operating on the winter schedule starting Sunday, Jan. 3 through March 27.

The winter schedule brings a number of notable service changes to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route as well as the seasonal closure of the international route.

WSF traditionally carries fewer passengers in the winter, so seasonal service adjustments are made to reduce costs.

There are two different sailing schedules on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes during the winter: weekday and weekend. Starting Jan. 3, only three boats will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, while the normal four boats will continue operating during the week.

Another significant change from the fall schedule to the winter schedule in the San Juans is that the final weekday sailing of the evening from Anacortes to the islands has been moved from 7:25 p.m. to 8:55 p.m. and it will make all stops.

There is no ferry service between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C. during the winter schedule; international service resumes March 28.

Customers can view or download the winter 2010 schedule at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. Printed schedules will be available at terminals and on vessels late next week. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/email_alerts.