Ferry out of service for repairs as of April 12

KELLER – Drivers planning to use the Keller Ferry to cross the Columbia River via State Route 21, from April 12 until the morning of April 16, will need to use alternate routes for their travels.

The Keller Ferry vessel, Sanpoil, will be out of service for hull repairs starting at 6 a.m. Thursday, April 12. Service is anticipated to resume at 6 a.m. Monday, April 16, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

During this period, vessel builder Foss Maritime of Seattle will repair a hairline crack located where the keel meets the vertical bulkhead near one of the propeller shafts. WSDOT ferry operators noticed the crack during their routine inspections. A team from the Washington State Ferries, Vessel Engineering Division, will monitor the work. Final approval of the repairs must be issued by the U.S. Coast Guard before the ferry can return to service.

In 2017, Foss repaired several tiny cracks on the vessel where support ribs intersect with welded seams on the all-aluminum vessel. As a result, operators have kept a close watch for hairline cracks developing at similar locations.