Working Conditions Aboard the Wsf-Puyallup

On the evening of October 10, 2020, the 'Puyallup' ferry experienced a significant disruption when it was struck by lightning while navigating near the Edmonds dock during its route to Kingston. The lightning strike resulted in a complete failure of the ferry's navigation system, causing the vessel to be temporarily taken out of service. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew. Coast Guard representatives confirmed that the 'Puyallup' would remain docked until necessary repairs to the navigation equipment could be completed, ensuring the safety and reliability of future operations.

On the afternoon of February 13, 2020, two sailings on the popular Bainbridge Island-Seattle ferry route were disrupted following reports of smoke emerging from the upper deck of the ferry 'Puyallup'. The affected departures included the 1:10 p.m. sailing from Seattle and the 2:05 p.m. sailing from Bainbridge. In response to the situation, maritime authorities halted the sailings to investigate the smoke's origin. Teams from the Seattle Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard promptly boarded the vessel to conduct a thorough safety assessment. Preliminary investigations suggested that a malfunctioning light fixture was the source of the smoke. After replacing the faulty fixture, service was successfully resumed, allowing travelers to continue their journeys.

In a dramatic incident on January 19, 2018, a ferry crew performed a courageous rescue of a 67-year-old woman who leapt from the deck of the MV Puyallup while en route from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. At precisely 2:15 p.m., the woman jumped overboard from the rear deck just as the ferry was navigating Puget Sound. Swiftly responding to the emergency, the crew tossed a life ring to her and deployed a rescue boat. Remarkably, they succeeded in retrieving the woman and brought her back to the Seattle shoreline in under 10 minutes. Upon being rescued, she was found conscious and was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Following the incident, the ferry returned to its Seattle port and it was anticipated that the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry service would experience delays for the remainder of the day. Washington State Ferries (WSF) has initiated an internal inquiry, while the Washington State Patrol will also conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this alarming event. The woman was reported to be a resident of King County.