[Brief] Washington State Ferries’ roll-on / roll-off automobile ferries often function on sheltered routes, however often they need to make a transit throughout open water for repositioning. This is a routine matter, as long as the climate is forgiving, however on one latest voyage it was a bit rougher than anticipated.

On Tuesday, the ferry Issaquah was repositioning to Anacortes from her previously-assigned crossing at Mukilteo. Anacortes is the gateway to the San Juan Islands, and to get there, Issaquah needed to cross the east finish of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Strait is an open runway to the North Pacific, and it’s identified for durations of foul winter climate.  

A harrowing expertise, for positive. Glad everybody arrived unscathed and with no harm. The ship’s observe reveals the crew slowing down and turning into the waves at a number of factors alongside the west aspect of Whidbey yesterday morning. Must’ve been wild! #wsf #wawx #pnw ???? ????? pic.twitter.com/4h7SmOMx3B

— Lawson (@bnkwupt) January 10, 2024

On Tuesday morning, Issaquah handed Port Townsend and headed north alongside the coast of Whidbey Island, making 17 knots. She shortly encountered greater waves than the crew had anticipated from the forecast, in accordance with WSF. AIS knowledge reveals that as she rounded Fort Ebey, she slowed to seven knots and started altering course, zig-zagging northwards alongside the coast. 

There had been no passengers on board throughout this transit, however the crew (and their private autos) had been there to witness the consequences. One crewmember captured a video of the automobile deck awash with saltwater, with the rolling sea seen previous the open-ended bow. (Advisory: robust language.)

Employee shot this from #Issaquah throughout tough seas Tuesday close to Strait of Juan de Fuca. We had been transferring vessel w/o passengers to #Anacortes. Damage minimal. This has no impact on service. Ferry will change #Chelan in #SanJuanIslands by the weekend. Sorry about language in video. pic.twitter.com/62YHJTiTj0

— Washington State Ferries (@wsferries) January 10, 2024

After the ordeal, Issaquah exited the strait and made it to sheltered waters. She arrived safely at her vacation spot at about 1245 hours, about two hours after she entered the strait. 

According to Washington State Ferries, the harm brought on by the encounter was minimal and can have no impact on service. 

“We sometimes have waves crashing over the bow, but for this to happen, it is very, very rare. Keep in mind this occurred outside one of our normal routes as we were moving the boat,” WSF clarified in a social media submit. “This was an extremely rare occurrence for water to get to this level.”