Seattle–Bremerton ferry

The Seattle–Bremerton ferry is a ferry route across Puget Sound between Seattle and Bremerton, Washington. Since 1951, the route has primarily been operated by the state-run Washington State Ferries system, currently the largest ferry system in the United States. Kitsap Transit also runs passenger-only "fast ferries" service on the route.

Seattle–Bremerton ferry
Hyak boarding at Bremerton.
WaterwayPuget Sound
RouteSeattle – Bremerton, Washington
Carries SR 304
System length17 miles (27 km)
Travel time60 minutes (2018)
45 minutes (1968)
Connections at Bremerton
Ship
Kitsap Foot Ferry
Bus
Kitsap Transit, Mason Transit Authority
Road
 SR 304
Connections at Seattle
Ship
King County Water Taxi
Tram
 Pioneer Square station
Bus
King County Metro, Sound Transit Express
Road
 SR 519

History

The Seattle–Bremerton ferry route was once known as the "Navy Yard route". Before ferry service, the route was served by steamships and steamboats, such as the Inland Flyer. The sternwheeler Bailey Gatzert, once considered one of the most prestigious vessels to operate on Puget Sound and the Columbia River, was converted to an automobile ferry and as such became the first ferry to run on the Seattle-Bremerton route.[1] Another vessel to run on the route was the unique "streamlined" ferry Kalakala.

From 1986 to 2002, Washington State Ferries operated passenger-only service on the Bremerton route using specialized high-speed boats. After the service was cancelled, Kitsap Transit contracted with private companies to operate a similar service for several years, and later debuted its own service, Kitsap Fast Ferries, on July 10, 2017.[2]

Current status
Aerial view of two Seattle–Bremerton ferries crossing near Fort Ward and Country Club of Seattle on Bainbridge Island

The route from Seattle departs from the Washington State Ferry Terminal on the central Seattle waterfront. Normally assigned to the route are the Super-class ferry Kaleetan and Olympic-class ferry Chimacum, with the Jumbo Class ferry Walla Walla filling in when maintenance needs allow.

MV Chimacum, ferry on the Seattle–Bremerton route, arriving at Colman Dock in Seattle
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See also

Notes
  1. Newell, Gordon, R., ed., H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, at 291, Superior Publishing, Seattle, WA, 1966
  2. Gutman, David (July 5, 2017). "Bremerton takes another crack at fast ferry service". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 14, 2017.

References
  • Demoro, Harre, The Evergreen Fleet – A Pictorial History of Washington State Ferries, Golden West Books, San Marino, CA (1971) ISBN 0-87095-037-1
  • Kline, Mary S., and Bayless, G.A., Ferryboats – A Legend on Puget Sound, Bayless Books, Seattle, WA (1983) ISBN 0-914515-00-4
  • Newell, Gordon, R., ed., H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest, Superior Publishing, Seattle, WA (1966)
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