Washington State Ferries Ramp Up Summer Service

The Washington State Ferries (WSF) summer 2015 sailing schedule will take effect Sunday, June 14, with a new Olympic Class vessel, additional sailings, vehicle reservations to the San Juan Islands and increased service hours on many routes, the state’s transportation department announced.

For the Anacortes/San Juan Islands service, WSF added a fifth vessel, the new Olympic Class 144-car ferry Samish, for more sailings, providing better connections to Anacortes and Friday Harbor during commute hours.

Also new this summer, customers can make vehicle reservations to and from the San Juan Islands. Reservations are also available on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route and for international sailings between Anacortes and Sidney, British Columbia.

Other changes to the summer 2015 sailing schedule include a second daily trip to the Anacortes/Sidney, B.C. route; extra weekend service between Fauntleroy, Vashon and Southworth; additional Mukilteo/Clinton late night sailings Thursdays through Sundays, as well as an early morning Saturday sailing; continued Port Townsend/Coupeville two-boat service through Oct. 12.; and an additional Point Defiance/Tahlequah midday sailing on Fridays due to Vashon terminal construction.

Construction to bring the Vashon ferry dock up to current seismic, mechanical and electrical codes by retrofitting the existing facility is scheduled to begin mid-summer.

Starting June 14, vehicles more than 38 feet long will be limited to six designated sailings per day from Vashon to Southworth; and vehicles more than 7 feet tall or more than 22 feet long will be able to travel on all but six designated sailings per day from Fauntleroy to Southworth.