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Guemes Ferry Out of Service Again Related links: Skagit Valley Herald Story 1• Story 2 • Alternate Transport • Seeking Information All of Guemes Is Shouting, "Enough!" • Previously: Ferry's Out...Back.. Out...Back As of today, April 7, 2005, at 10 AM the Guemes ferry is back in normal service and operating on a normal schedule. Please refer to 360-293-6356 for schedule and fare information. Skagit County Public Works, 10:50 am 4.7.05 The Guemes ferry is off the drydock and we have concluded preliminary sea trials and back at the dock. We will have to wait for the U.S. Coast Guard inspector to arrive tomorrow, April 7 at 8:30 to 9AM to observe a sea trial for the Coast Guard. Hopefully
after that we can return to normal service. Skagit County Public Works, 4:00pm 4.6.05 Today is Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at approximately 9 AM. All the major components are being put into the out drive after finally receiving the last of the necessary parts yesterday. The U.S. Coast Guard will be at the shipyard at approximately 9 AM tomorrow to inspect and observe sea trials. The ferry should be back in operation tomorrow sometime. The message service at 360-293-6356 will be updated twice a day until we go back into service. Skagit County Public Works, 9:00am 4.6.05 The Guemes
ferry out drive repair is at the stage of re-assembly. The shipyard will
start installing components as soon as Rolls-Royce sends a couple seals
that they forgot in a previous shipment. They should arrive early this
afternoon. The Coast Guard has been called for an inspection on early
Thursday, April 7. Steve Cox, ferry manager, 12:30pm 4.5.05 As of this morning, April 4, 2005, Dakota Creek Industries worked over the weekend and has commenced assembly of the major components of the out drive. We anticipate that we may have everything ready to test on Wednesday, late in the day. This schedule is dependent on an inspection of other components taking place today. We will continue to operate a passenger only service using Arrow Launch Service until the GUEMES returns to service. Skagit County Public Works, 9:30am 4.4.05 As of this morning, April, 2005, the repair parts have arrived along with technical help from the manufacturer. We will start putting the unit back together today and check some additional areas in the out drive to insure its reliability. We anticipate, barring further problems that we should be back in service sometime mid-week next week. Skagit County Public Works, 9:30am 4.1.05 The most
current information regarding the ferry outage is that we now have identified
the problem with the No. 2 outdrive and will be, over the course of the
next several days, rebuilding the outdrive while the vessel is dry docked.
At this time, we anticipate that the ferry may be back in service sometime
Wednesday, April 6, 2005. For questions and comments, please contact Steve Cox, Ferry Manager at 360-336-9400. Skagit County Public Works, 3:45pm 3.31.05
Should the Guemes still be out of service next week, April 4-8, the Pintail will run Wednesday, April 6 from 10 am until dark, and Thursday, April 7 from 6 am until approximately 10 am. Skagit County Public Works, 10:30am 3.31.05 We have examined the out drive and found the problem to be bearings and not the gears. This is good news because we have ordered the bearings and they are on their way to be replaced. The bearings should be here today, March 30 and Dakota Creek will start putting them in. This process will take a few days NOT weeks. Skagit County has contracted with PINTAIL to provide garbage service tomorrow, Thursday, March 31 as well as delivery of propane and fuel for the store. The ferry crew has been working hard coming up with ideas to help Guemes Islanders and has stayed in contact with the PINTAIL to set up these services. PINTAIL will be hauling vehicles starting at 9 am Wednesday, March 30 for as long as it can on an outgoing tide. They will provide the same service Thursday, March 31 from 6 am to 10 am, EXCEPT for those runs when hauling propane or fuel. Skagit County Public Works, 9:30am 3.30.05 The Guemes Ferry is out of service due to mechanical problems. We are providing passenger only service until further notice and after we evaluate the damage to number 2 out drive on dry dock at Dakota Creek commencing on Monday, March 28, 2005. Arrow Launch Service will be providing passenger only service using the Strait Arrow, a 49 passenger vessel, commencing at 2 PM, 25 March until further notice. We will examine the out drive and determine repairs to be made. Skagit County Public Works, 2:26pm 3.25.05 The ferry Guemes will be out of service at least through the weekend and Monday and probably Tuesday. We will be putting the Guemes up on dry dock on Monday, March 28th, opening up the out drive and disassembling it to determine what the problem is. These mechanical problems are being discussed with Rolls-Royce in Canada where the repairs were apparently accomplished. Skagit County Public Works, 9:30am 3.25.05 The United
States Coast Guard has ordered the Guemes Island Ferry out of service
for the remainder of the day and tomorrow pending an on-site inspection
by Coast Guard personnel. This situation has been necessitated by the
failure of the No. 2 Outdrive. The Coast Guard will not allow us to operate
the ferry in its present condition for safety reasons. Skagit County Public Works, 4:30pm 3.24.05 Beginning
immediately, the Guemes Island Ferry will be out of service until further
notice. The next run will not be until 1:45 PM today, March 24, 2005.
This run will be passenger only service. Skagit County Public Works, 12:40pm, 3.24.05 Send a message to the Commissioners, Public Works Director, Ferry Manager and the Ferry Committee, all at the same time! |
