A Washington State ferry sustained significant damage Thursday after it struck a dolphin piling during its arrival at the Fauntleroy Terminal in southwest Seattle.
Washington State Ferries said its vessel Cathlamet made a hard landing at the terminal, causing significant damage to the vessel and an offshore mooring dolphin.
Fauntleroy service suspended for the time being.
Thankfully no injuries or pollution have been reported.
Photos and video of the vessel show significant damage to the Cathlamet’s port bow above the waterline. More photos of the damage can be seen at the bottom of this post. Damage to the dolphin can be seen below:
Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard said it was repsonding to the incident. “Investigation officers and a rescue boat crew are on scene to assist,” the U.S. Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District said in tweet.
It seems cars were able to sneak under the damage and exit the ferry, with the exception of two vehicles that remain stuck inside.
“Vessel will not be cleared to transit until approval is granted from #USCG responders,” the Coast Guard said in an update.
Here are a few shots of #Cathlamet from the #Fauntleroy terminal. /id6w5Oo2Dv
— Washington State Ferries (@wsferries) July 28, 2022
#BREAKING Photo captured on the MV Cathlamet after the ferry made a hard landing at the #Fauntleroy dock.
Photo courtesy: Anne Gfeller Higuera.
She says it crushed the left front side of the boat right over the top of some cars. /Yeuqsbz2H8
— Steve McCarron KOMO (@SteveTVNews) July 28, 2022
WATCH: Here’s video of the MV Cathlamet after the collision
? Pia VanHanen #komonews /zwD7FOA47x
— Kelly Koopmans (@KellyKOMO4) July 28, 2022
/FMex7sPiAY
— Timothy Couch (@CouchTimothy) July 28, 2022
#BREAKING More photos of the damaged MV Cathlamet after the ferry made a hard landing into #Fauntleroy dock.
Courtesy: Rachel Lincavage /7kn935Sxb2
— Steve McCarron KOMO (@SteveTVNews) July 28, 2022
A curious paddleboarder surveys the damage to the MV Cathlamet after a “hard landing”#Seattle#Ferry#SeattleFerry /oSnUPnBzAo
— Anthony (@amay206) July 28, 2022
I hope everyone is ok, the Cathlamet looks like it will be out for awhile /WLohIiFYS2
— Two Paddles Design (@TwoPaddles) July 28, 2022
Photo by Bill Wellington: /XB4hh4Gg2K
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 28, 2022
To clarify, when we say #Cathlamet hit a dolphin at #Fauntleroy terminal, we don’t mean it hit an animal. A dolphin is part of the terminal that helps guide a boat in. Still working on getting info. Issaquah is providing service between #Vashon & #Southworth. /yRuv15q2aC
— Washington State Ferries (@wsferries) July 28, 2022
