The 48-car ferry Rhododendron returned to service on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route on Nov. 1, starting with the first sailing of the day departing from Tahlequah, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The 34-car Hiyu has been serving the route since the Christine Anderson went into drydock on Sept. 24.

While the Christine Anderson was in drydock, the WSDOT Ferries Division loaned the Rhododendron to Pierce County for service between Steilacoom and Anderson and Ketron islands because Pierce County’s other ferry, the Steilacoom II, is leased to WSDOT for use on the Port Townsend/Keystone route.

The Rhododendron’s return restores the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route to its typical vehicle capacity.

With a lack of backup vessels in the ferry system, WSDOT must plan vessel moves to accommodate planned maintenance while minimizing impacts to customers. This becomes especially difficult during the winter maintenance season, when more vessels must be removed from service for annual maintenance and inspections.

The Hiyu will be back on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route for approximately six weeks starting in early January 2009, while the Rhododendron is out of service for scheduled maintenance and its annual inspection. While capacity on the route is temporarily reduced, customers can expect longer wait times during busy commute periods. Ferry riders are advised to arrive early and to consider using the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route for travel to and from Vashon Island.

For more ferry system information, visit the WSDOT Ferries Division Web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries .