The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) will begin operating its summer 2010 sailing schedule on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, with additional vessels, sailings and service hours on the more popular tourism routes, including the San Juan Islands. The summer schedule runs through Sept. 25.

The new red 2010 summer schedules are available at all ferry terminals and on the vessels. Summer service changes include: Anacortes/San Juan Islands – an additional vessel and increased hours of service. Customers should note a change from the printed schedule: the 5:50 a.m. sailing from Friday Harbor will stop at Lopez Island at approximately 6:25 a.m. and load Anacortes-bound traffic. This Lopez stop was added after the schedule went to print, in response to customer feedback.

Customers should begin planning ahead for the busy July 4th weekend. The heaviest traffic is expected westbound Thursday, July 1 and Friday, July 2, and eastbound Monday, July 5. Reservations are available now for the holiday weekend on the Port Townsend/Keystone and Anacortes/Sidney routes. Travelers should allow extra time for long waits at all terminals during the holiday weekend, especially in the San Juan Islands. WSF encourages customers to walk on instead of taking their vehicles. Details on extra service for the holiday weekend will be forthcoming. WSF will not provide free parking at the Anacortes terminal this year.

For more summer schedule details and other ferry system information, visit http:www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/email_alerts