The ferry isn’t running between Steilacoom and Anderson Island right now. Here’s why

Feb. 25—Ferry service between Steilacoom and Anderson Island remained suspended for a second straight day due to an issue with an on-board generator, Pierce County said Saturday, adding that it was working on securing a passenger-only vessel as backup.

Disruptions to the county-operated service began Friday afternoon, when a 3:50 p.m. trip from Steilacoom to the island was canceled, according to the county’s online alerts. A series of cancellations followed as crews worked to fix the mechanical issue. Eventually, service was suspended.

In an online update late Saturday afternoon, the county said that it was finalizing work with a contractor to get a passenger-only back-up vessel, which would be expected to run until normal service resumed. An update on those efforts was expected by no later than early Sunday.

“As soon as the boat is ready to transport and the schedule is adjusted, a rider alert will be sent out,” the county said.

Vehicles parked in ferry-loading lanes were authorized to remain in place until service was restored.

The county’s ferry service runs several times a day between Steilacoom and Anderson Island, just southwest of Tacoma, and also serves passengers in Ketron Island, located between Steilacoom and Anderson Island. The county maintains a second ferry, which recently returned from dry dock. But its firefighting water supply pump failed Coast Guard inspection and needed to be fixed and reinspected, according to the county.

A message left with a county spokesperson Saturday seeking additional details on the suspended service was not immediately returned.

“The Steilacoom Terminal will be open all night for those needing shelter,” the county said, “and if you are on Anderson Island, the Anderson Island Fire Station is available.”

This story was originally published February 25, 2023, 3:52 PM.

(c)2023 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.