Community
Ferry Update as of 4-15-2019 5pm
Ferry Update as of 4-15-2019 5pm 
Sent on behalf of Pierce County Planning & Public Works:
April 15 afternoon ferry dock update:
We have received an update from our contractor and want to provide the latest details to you.
The work to repair the dock continues. This process is made complicated by wave action, tide changes and sheer size of the equipment being repaired.
Here’s what we know about what caused the damage to the ramp. Late Saturday evening, the point where a stainless-steel ball and socket connected to the dock’s support pontoon broke. This joint holds up half of the roughly 200,000 pounds of the ramp, so to repair it we must first lift it free to allow crews to safely work on the broken part.
We have lifted the dock and are currently bracing it to allow crews safe access to repair the broken joint. Unfortunately, it has taken longer than we would like to restore service.
We have a thorough annual maintenance and inspection process that includes checking this part, which was last inspected in October 2018. The joint has worked without issue for more than 20 years and has never needed repair before. It is custom-built and costs thousands of dollars, therefore we do not stock spare joints in our inventory.
We will keep you posted on when we can begin full service but passenger-only ferry service will continue for now.
We have received an update from our contractor and want to provide the latest details to you.
The work to repair the dock continues. This process is made complicated by wave action, tide changes and sheer size of the equipment being repaired.
Here’s what we know about what caused the damage to the ramp. Late Saturday evening, the point where a stainless-steel ball and socket connected to the dock’s support pontoon broke. This joint holds up half of the roughly 200,000 pounds of the ramp, so to repair it we must first lift it free to allow crews to safely work on the broken part.
We have lifted the dock and are currently bracing it to allow crews safe access to repair the broken joint. Unfortunately, it has taken longer than we would like to restore service.
We have a thorough annual maintenance and inspection process that includes checking this part, which was last inspected in October 2018. The joint has worked without issue for more than 20 years and has never needed repair before. It is custom-built and costs thousands of dollars, therefore we do not stock spare joints in our inventory.
We will keep you posted on when we can begin full service but passenger-only ferry service will continue for now.
Customer Service(253) 588-1950.
Address/Location
Pierce County - PC Alert
2501 S 35th St
Tacoma, WA 98409
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1