U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Katelyn Shearer.
SEATTLE — A Coast Guard marine inspection team from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound in Seattle completed the annual certificate of inspection for Washington State Ferry Puyallup at the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island, Tuesday.
The crew of Puyallup passed the inspection and was allowed to resume normal service Wednesday evening.
All 23 WSF vessels must pass a certificate of inspection and four unannounced quarterly inspections each year. The inspections include a test of safety, navigation and lifesaving equipment, a review of vessel documents, crew emergency response and security drills, an inspection of engineering equipment and spaces, and other items.
Certificates of inspection certify that each ferry’s crew has the knowledge and equipment to respond to a variety of emergencies that may occur aboard the vessel. Coast Guard inspectors work regularly with WSF personnel to ensure the more than 22 million annual ferry passengers have a safe transit to their destination.
“We have a joint interest in providing the safest possible transportation for our customers and employees," said Lynne Griffith, assistant secretary for Washington State Ferries. "I look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with the Coast Guard and working with them to keep our vessels operating safely and reliably."
Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Puget Sound, is responsible for the federal regulations of all commercial ships and passenger vessels that transit Elliot Bay, Puget Sound and the Straits of Juan de Fuca.
For more information about the WSF system, please contact Marta Coursey, WSF communications director, at 206-450-5491.