The Mukilteo/Clinton ferry run returns to two-boat weekend service starting this Saturday, Aug. 22.
The move, announced Thursday, ends a two-month period in which only one vessel was in operation on the busiest travel days of each week.
Also getting a second boat back on weekends is the Edmonds/Kingston run.
Both routes have been operating with just one boat on weekends since June 20, due to “a lack of crewmembers needed to meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements.”
In a press release, Washington State Ferries said “more than 100 high-risk WSF vessel and terminal employees have been unavailable due to the (COVID-19) pandemic.
“In addition, new hires were unable to undergo mandatory face-to-face training until June.”
The ferry system has been able to add 16 new crewmembers and 10 terminal attendants in the past month.
“We’re now at a point that we can incrementally increase service and are working to restore sailings on additional routes in the weeks ahead,” said WSF Director of Operations Greg Faust.
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