After nearly three years of serving Whidbey Island residents, the Steilacoom II returned to its Pierce County home earlier this month. 

The 50-car ferry served the Port Townsend-to-Coupeville ferry route since early 2008. Its service ended in November when the ferry system’s newest vessel, the Chetzemoka, took over. Now it will go back transporting folks to Anderson Island.

Since November, the ferry system has spent more than $1 million in maintenance work on the ferry in order to return it in good shape to Pierce County. 

Washington State Ferries signed a $1,394,256 contract with Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes for the work, spokesperson Marta Coursey said in an email. 

The work included drydocking the vessel, overhauling its engines and servicing generators and propellers. Workers also painted the vessel, cleaned the HVAC ducts and inspected and repaired the Stieilacoom II’s steering gear. 

The ferry system spent approximately $2 million leasing the Steilacoom II from Pierce County. It was the only vessel available capable of navigating in and out of Keystone Harbor. The Steilacoom II was brought to the route when the 80-year-old Steel Electrics were pulled from service because of safety concerns.

The 64-car Chetzemoka started sailing in November, which provided motorists with a larger ferry. It is still the only vessel in the system capable of the trip through narrow Keystone Harbor. 

A second 64-car ferry, the Salish, is currently being constructed. However, a state budget crisis could keep the vessel from sailing from Keystone during the busy summer months as originally planned. As part of a cost-cutting move, there is a proposal that would move the Salish to the San Juan Islands. No decision has been made yet.