Local News

Keller Ferry out of service for repairs

Sep 09, 2014

The Keller Ferry across the Columbia River on State Route 21 is out of service until further notice.

Water is seeping into one of the Sanpoil’s internal compartments through a hairline crack below the waterline. The Washington State Department of Transportation advised the US Coast Guard of the issue shortly after 1 p.m. today, Tuesday, Sept. 9, and the vessel was taken out of passenger service.

The 1 ¾ inch-long hairline crack is located on the port side of the vessel about 14 feet back from the front propeller. The seepage site is in the hull plate just above the keel.

Divers from the vessel builder, Foss Maritime of Seattle, inspected the boat earlier today and located the small crack in the aluminum plate. The cause has not yet been determined.

WSDOT is working with Foss Maritime to determine what repairs will be required and how the work will be done. There is no estimate on costs or when the ferry service will resume. Drivers will need to use alternate routes to reach their destinations.