Evaluations have commenced on the state ferry Walla Walla, which grounded itself while navigating Rich Passage on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday morning, the 175 vehicles were taken off the vessel, according to Ian Sterling, the spokesperson for Washington State Ferries. The Walla Walla was then towed back to Bremerton and later floated off the beach during a high tide. In the evening, Kitsap Transit passenger ferries would evacuate approximately 600 passengers from the vessel. The vessel had been traveling from Bremerton to Seattle.
On the ship, crew members addressed three medical crises, but Jared Moravec, Chief of the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, confirmed that no casualties were linked to the grounding incident.
He stated, “They were stable in condition when they were transported, and it was noted that EMS and fire personnel received them in Bremerton, where the Coast Guard took those patients. He mentioned that in any case, medical and fire personnel would be available so that crews could go aboard, following the grounding.”
From the archives: Walla Walla has grounded before on Bainbridge, way back in 1981.
On Monday morning in Bremerton, Walla Walla remained moored. Sterling stated that evaluations on the ship have commenced and initial underwater explorations did not detect any significant harm. He mentioned that all indications indicate a mechanical malfunction. The ship was constructed in 1973 and underwent reconstruction in 2003.
He stated, “It can be confidently affirmed that it was a mechanical problem.” “An unexpected event occurred. It was not caused by the crew or any similar factor. Something unfavorable transpired with that vessel to lead to that occurrence.”
Sterling mentioned that the organization was refunding customers for their transportation costs and was exploring other possible actions it could take.
Moravec, a member of the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, declared a “multiple casualty incident” to attract emergency responders from across Kitsap County to the island, despite the absence of any injuries. At a certain moment, he suggested using small boats and life rafts to transport passengers to the shoreline near Lynwood Center as one of the potential methods for evacuating them from the vessel.
He stated, “We did not desire to take any risks.” “That is an expedient method for us to acquire a substantial amount of resources responding to effectively handle a considerable number of individuals, a few of whom may possibly sustain injuries during the evacuation.”
The transit agency, Kitsap Transit, stated that the vessels Commander and Waterman completed four roundtrips between Bremerton and the Walla Walla, ultimately transporting a total of 610 passengers and crew members.
“It was certainly a collaborative endeavor to ensure that we safely disembarked the passengers,” Moravec stated.
She remembered saying, “This is not a practice. We have lost control over steering and movement, go inside, find a seat, and prepare for the collision,” before an announcement was given: The illumination disappeared and reappeared. The illumination on the ship went out and came back on when Jess Torrez-Riley, from Bremerton, was on the ship with a companion en route to Saturday’s OL Reign game in Seattle.
The vessel collided with the shore in Rich Passage and came to a stop at approximately 4:30 p.M.
Some individuals were traveling to a formal Navy event, while others were heading to sporting events. The first thing she did was take a ride on an old 4-year-old ferry. Everyone remained calm and well-handled throughout the night, but some individuals aboard were frustrated about missing out on certain events. Plans were made and changed throughout the journey.
Torrez-Riley expressed, “They aid in fostering a thriving community and by keeping them operational, we hope to have various amazing modes of transportation. I believe that it is important to consider how we live in a special and unique place, and I’m glad that everyone ended up being okay.”
Eventually, Torrez-Riley boarded the Waterman to Bremerton, noting that she arrived shortly before 9:30 p.M. She scored a late game-winning goal for the Reign, stepping off the Walla Walla shortly after that.
Torrez-Riley mentioned that the Reign have another game in Seattle this Saturday. She is still considering whether to utilize the ferry once more.
She stated, “I believe I’ll be significantly more conscious of that bend in the path. It’s usually underwhelming in that area, you’re moving at a relatively low speed. I’ll be desiring to ensure that we successfully navigate that section.”