Leaking seals prevent restart of ferry service

The Oscar B. was expected to resume service between Puget Island and Westport early Wednesday morning, but service was halted when the crew discovered leaking shaft seals.

Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Chuck Beyer explained why in this early morning email: "Due to leaking shafts the Ferry Oscar B will be down until new shaft seals can be installed. At this point I do not have a time frame. The shaft seal supply company is located in Renton, WA. If they have the required seals we will send a person today to pick them up and get them installed asap."

Beyer had said Tuesday morning that he understood repairs and inspections would be completed in time for the ferry to resume service Tuesday evening.

"An unforeseen delay in getting the ferry off of dry dock occurred," Beyer reported Tuesday afternoon. "I do not know the reasoning for the delay."

Beyer said the ferry was scheduled to leave Vancouver between 5 and 5:30 p.m. The crew anticipated a 6-hour run to get back to Puget Island, and service was expected to resume standard operation first thing Wednesday morning at 5 a.m.

Shipyard workers finished repairs Tuesday morning, and the ferry was supposed to hit the water by 12 noon. However, a delay occurred that slowed the process. The US Coast Guard conducted system testing around 4 p.m., Beyer said.