Washington State Ferries Prepare for Increased Maintenance as Summer Season Ends

Washington State Ferries is entering a period of increased scheduled vessel maintenance as the busy summer travel season comes to an end.

In its Sept. 10, 2026 weekly update, WSF said its crews had completed 98.9% of more than 2,200 scheduled sailings during Labor Day weekend. The agency also reported that scheduled maintenance on the Sealth ferry was taking longer than expected, affecting service on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route. If sea trials proceed as planned, the vessel was expected to return to service the following week.

What This Means for Local Riders

Ferries remain an important transportation connection for communities throughout Puget Sound and the surrounding region. Temporary vessel maintenance or unexpected repairs can affect sailing availability and travel plans.

WSF says it is ramping up scheduled maintenance as the system moves into its slower season. Because the fleet is aging and there is limited spare-vessel availability, the agency cautions that maintenance taking longer than planned can affect service.

The ferry system operates routes including Seattle/Bainbridge Island, Edmonds/Kingston, Anacortes/San Juan Islands, Mukilteo/Clinton and Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, among others. Riders should check the status of their specific route before traveling rather than assuming that a disruption affects the entire system.

Plan Ahead Before Traveling

Washington State Ferries recommends that riders check current information before heading to a terminal. The WSF website and WSDOT mobile app provide:

• Current sailing schedules
• Rider alerts
• Live terminal conditions
• Real-time ferry information
• Vehicle reservation information on eligible routes

WSF also offers ferry text alerts that riders can use to receive notifications for selected routes.

Maintenance Remains a Key Part of Ferry Operations

WSF’s 2026 Service Contingency Plan explains that vessel maintenance is incorporated into seasonal service planning. The agency schedules maintenance across its fleet while considering vessel availability, route requirements and operational constraints.

The system’s September update also noted that WSF completed 98.6% of its scheduled sailings during the week of Aug. 31–Sept. 6. Of the 47 canceled sailings that week, 20 were attributed to vessel-related issues and 17 to crewing.

Practical Consideration for Ferry Riders

Passengers who have work, school, medical appointments or other time-sensitive commitments should allow additional travel time when maintenance or service alerts are posted.

Before leaving home, riders can check their specific route for the latest sailing information and alerts. Vehicle travelers should also review reservation requirements where applicable.