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HomeMy WebLinkAbout050323 FW_ Walla Walla Returns to Service ________________________________ From: Vezina, John Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 2:23:22 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) Subject: Walla Walla Returns to Service ________________________________ ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. ________________________________ County and City Elected Officials Representing WSF-served Communities, Good afternoon and good news, the Walla Walla, which ran aground after a generator failure on April 15, has been repaired, extensively dock and sea trialed, and cleared by the U.S. Coast Guard to return to service. It will do so this afternoon with the 4.15pm from Bremerton. We’re pleased both to have the vessel back, and to restore additional vehicle capacity to the Seattle/Bremerton route. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and WSF investigators completed full inspections of the vessel’s steering systems, underwater hull and appendages, and electrical power generation framework, which included commercial dive inspections and repairs. The USCG and WSF investigation teams determined that contaminated fuel led to a generator failure resulting in a loss of propulsion and steering controls. Backup systems were also affected by the same fuel issue resulting in a second generator failure within seconds of the first. The investigation into how the fuel was contaminated is ongoing, but to ensure a similar incident doesn’t occur, all fuel now onboard has tested clean and new upgraded generator monitoring gauges have been installed on both the Walla Walla and its sister ship the Spokane. There’s a great deal of appreciation and recognition to be shared for event. We again thank the Walla Walla’s crew onboard the day of the grounding for their quick actions and professionalism, and our partners at the Washington State Patrol, USCG and Kitsap Transit for their incredible assistance during an upsetting experience for the 596 passengers on board that night, who happily didn’t experience injury. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Best, John John B. Vezina Director Planning, Customer and Government Relations Washington State Ferries <https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries> Cell: 206.473.9945