What Crew Members Say About Wsf-Samish

On August 6, 2024, an extraordinary scene unfolded aboard a ferry traveling from Lopez Island to Anacortes. As the vessel prepared to depart, a concerned passenger urgently sought out crew assistance, revealing that his wife was in labor on the car deck. The ferry crew, along with fellow passengers, sprang into action, facilitating the woman's swift transport to the ship’s medical area. Just minutes later, at 3:45 PM, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Following the miraculous delivery, the family was airlifted to Anacortes for further medical care. This unforgettable event showcased the quick thinking and teamwork of everyone on board.

On March 9, 2024, the Washington State Ferries (WSF) 'Samish' experienced significant delays as it came to the aid of a pleasure boat stranded in the challenging waters of the Rosario Strait. The incident occurred amidst winds reaching 20 knots, accompanied by gusts of up to 30 knots, and turbulent seas measuring 4-6 feet. The pleasure boat, carrying six individuals and two dogs, encountered severe issues after taking a wave over the bow, which resulted in a shattered front windshield. Several passengers sustained injuries from the broken glass. In response to the emergency, the 'Samish' deployed a rescue boat to assist the compromised vessel. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Bellingham also mobilized a response boat to the scene. Upon arrival, the Coast Guard coxswain transferred two of their personnel to the damaged boat to evaluate the situation, providing first aid and checking the seaworthiness of the vessel. To facilitate the rescue, the 'Samish' slowed down, utilizing its size to create a windbreak for the Coast Guard crew as they navigated towards Anacortes. The Coast Guard team successfully transported two of the boaters and the two dogs aboard their vessel, while the remaining four individuals were brought back to Anacortes aboard the ferry. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the Anacortes Fire Department, who provided further assistance. The engineer of the pleasure boat, MK2 Lavarreda, operated the damaged vessel to Cap Sante Marina, where Anacortes Fire ensured the safe reunion of all parties involved. The compromised pleasure boat was subsequently secured at Cap Sante Marina. For more information and photographs, you can view the full report at [San Juan Islander](https://sanjuanislander.com/news-articles/government-news/federal/coast-guard/37289/samish-ferry-crew-and-coast-guard-rescue-6-people-and-2-dogs).

The ferry route connecting Anacortes to the San Juan Islands is currently operating under a temporary schedule due to mechanical issues with the vessel "Samish," which was taken out of service on August 6, 2017. The ferry experienced a coupling malfunction, necessitating repairs that are expected to last until August 10. In the meantime, Washington State Ferries has implemented an alternate schedule using only four vessels, resulting in the cancellation of three key sailings: the 8:25 a.m. trip from Anacortes to Sidney, British Columbia, the 9:45 a.m. sailing from Friday Harbor to Sidney, and the noon departure from Sidney back to Anacortes. Passengers holding reservations for the canceled trips will be accommodated on other available sailings, prioritizing those with reservations on a first-come, first-served basis, until a fifth vessel is able to resume regular service on the route.