The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced that the Keller Ferry will remain out of service indefinitely due to ongoing mechanical issues with the 11-year-old ferry Sanpoil. The 116' x 45' aluminum-hulled vessel has been inoperative since November 28, following a mechanical failure.
“As of Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Keller Ferry remains out of service due to a steering issue. There is no ETA for the vessel to return to service,” WSDOT said in a statement.
Technicians are currently waiting on parts to repair the ferry’s steering and rudder system, according to local media reports.
This latest shutdown adds to a series of mechanical issues that have affected the Sanpoil, which provides fare-free service between rural communities along State Route 21 on the Columbia River in Eastern Washington.
Built by Foss Maritime Company, Seattle, and commissioned in 2013, the 20-car Sanpoil operates on demand seven days a week, 18 hours a day, and transports about 60,000 vehicles annually, according to WSDOT.
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