The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) has completed investigation and maintenance of the drive motor on the 144-auto ferry Elwha, and the vessel will return to service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route on Thursday, April 9. The 90-auto Sealth will restore capacity on the inter-island route by relieving the 34-auto Hiyu.

WSF removed the Elwha from service on March 24 after the crew discovered sparking in an electrical switch in the vessel’s drive motor. Removing the vessel from service prevented further problems that could have resulted in a severe casualty of the drive motor.

WSF electricians and port engineers worked with the vendors of the drive motor and control system to perform a full evaluation of the drive motor, component by component. Crews cleaned the motor, changed brushes, and made recommended adjustments. Crews compared data collected during sea trials to ensure that the problem was fully addressed.

For more ferry system information, please visit the WSF Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, click on the link in the far left column of the Web site.