The Pierce County ferry Christine Anderson will be going into dry dock March 27 for routine inspection and maintenance as required by the U.S. Coast Guard. The 213-foot vessel will be out of service for approximately two weeks and replaced by the older, smaller backup ferry Steilacoom.

MV Christine Anderson carries a maximum load of 54 vehicles and 250 passengers and runs between Steilacoom and Anderson and Ketron island. The Steilacoom carries 30 vehicles and 149 passengers.

To make up for the capacity loss, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities and its ferry contractor, Pacific Navigation, are adding runs to the schedule and also asking riders to temporarily limit vehicular use of the ferry if possible.

The interim schedule includes a 4:20 a.m. departure from Steilacoom Monday through Friday and a 9 p.m. departure Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The ferry leaves Steilacoom every day at 5:40, 7:10, 8:30, 9:50 and 11:10 a.m. and at 2:10, 3:30, 4:50, 6:20 and 7:40 p.m.

The Christine Anderson was built for $5.2 million and put into service in 1994.