More ferry delays follow Elwha cabin smoke

ANACORTES, Wash. -- Passengers headed from Friday Harbor found themselves on an unwanted and scary detour late Sunday when the ferry they were traveling on began to smoke and was forced to turn around.

Now, mechanical problems with the Elwha ferry continue cancellations and delays Monday morning out of the Anacortes, Friday Harbor and Sidney, B.C., docks.



Mechanical problems on the 1,000-passenger Elwha ferry forced passengers to put on life vests and head to the center of the main cabin during a Sunday evening trip fro Friday Harbor. Passengers were forced to keep the life vests on for more than 30 minutes, the Seattle Times reported, after a mechanical caused smoke to come from the cabin.

Luckily, the boat was able to continue at reduced speed and dock at Anacortes. No one was injured in the incident, but the problem caused delays for the Ferry system Monday:

-- The 6:25 a.m. sailing to Friday Harbor was cancelled

-- The 8:05 a.m. sailing from Friday Harbor to Anacortes was cancelled

-- The 9:35 am sailing from Anacortes to Lopez is delayed due to necessary repairs to the Elwha. This will also delay the 10:45 am sailing from Lopez to Anacortes.

-- The Evergreen State is running an estimated 15 minutes behind schedule due to maintenance issues.

-- The 8:25 a.m. and the 2:40 p.m. sailing from Anacortes to Sidney, BC were full at 5:15 a.m.

-- The 12 p.m. sailing from Sidney, BC to Anacortes was also full, though walk-on space was available.

Spaces were still available for the 5:55 p.m. sailing from Sidney to Friday Harbor, officials said. Reservations must be made at least two hours prior to departure.

To see the latest on the Anacortes ferry wait times, click here.

From Ilana Smith