Washington State Ferries winter schedule begins Sunday

The Washington State Ferries will operate on a winter schedule beginning Sunday through March 27.

The changes include: • Winter weekend sailings on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/ Southworth route are less frequent than in the fall, with two vessels instead of three operating on Saturdays and Sundays.

• There is no ferry service between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C. during the winter schedule; international service resumes March 28.

• There are two different sailing schedules on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes in winter: weekday and weekend. Starting Jan. 3, only three boats will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, while the normal four boats will continue operating during the week.

• Also in the San Juans, the final weekday sailing of the evening from Anacortes to the islands has been moved from 7:25 p.m. to 8:55 p.m. and it will make all stops.

Several changes will also occur on the Seattle/Bremerton route:

Beginning Jan. 3, the 124-car Kitsap will serve the 4:20 p.m. departure from Seattle. This popular sailing has typically been served by the larger of the two vessels on the route; however, due to schedule modifications, the smaller vessel will begin serving this afternoon sailing. The larger 144-car vessel will continue serving the popular 6:20 a.m. departure from Bremerton.

Also starting Jan. 3, several morning and early afternoon sailing times will change. For example, the 9 a.m. departure from Bremerton moves to 8:45 a.m.

There will be no ferry service on the Port Townsend/Keystone route on Saturday, Jan. 9, and Sunday, Jan. 10, to allow the annual inspection on the Steilacoom II.

Customers can view or download the winter 2010 schedule at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.