Ferry Kaleetan sidelined by engine damage, San Juan Islands service disrupted

By Darrell Kirk

Journal contributor

“Introducing MV KALEETAN. She’s called KALEETAN. That means ‘arrow.’ A very apt name. Because starting Sunday, January 7 [1968], this Lengthy Lady will dart across the Sound between Seattle and the Winslow Terminal in just 25 minutes.”

So read an advertisement in the Jan. 6, 1968, issue of the Seattle Times, heralding the arrival of a vessel that would become a fixture in Washington’s ferry system for nearly six decades.

But today, the arrow has been grounded. The 58-year-old M/V Kaleetan, now a workhorse of Washington State Ferries’ San Juan Islands route, remains out of service following significant cylinder damage that occurred last Friday in the vessel’s engine room. Built in San Diego in 1967 and rebuilt in 1999, the 382-foot ferry has faithfully transported passengers and vehicles across Puget Sound waters for generations.

Washington State Ferries officials estimate repairs will take several weeks, forcing significant adjustments to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands service. The disruption has reduced operations from four vessels to three, causing delays and capacity constraints during the busy holiday travel season.

“We thoroughly investigated the damage, and we’re working as quickly and safely as possible to repair the Kaleetan,” ferry officials stated in Thursday’s update. The agency is working to secure a fourth vessel for the route, with the earliest expected arrival on Friday, Dec. 12.

In the meantime, passengers face considerable service changes. New reservations are blocked through Friday, Dec. 19, and existing reservation holders will be loaded on a first-come, first-served basis on subsequent sailings without penalty if they cannot board. Travelers should expect delays during the disruption.

The adjusted schedule shows multiple cancelled Kaleetan sailings throughout each day, with the three remaining vessels — the Yakima, Issaquah and Salish — attempting to maintain service to Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island and Friday Harbor.

The Kaleetan, capable of carrying 1,195 passengers and 144 vehicles, represents significant capacity on the island route. Ferry officials thanked passengers for their patience as crews work to restore the arrow to service.

Travelers can receive automated travel alerts at https://wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/RouteAlerts/.

WSF Customer Service (Phone):

Local: 206-464-6400.

Toll-free: 888-808-7977.

Call Center hours 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.