UPDATE : 5:20 pm
The vessel Rachel Marie, which had lost its port side altenator during the 7:15 am sailing this morning from Seacrest Dock, has been repaired and cleared to resume its normally scheduled service to West Seattle. Its first departure was the 4:15 pm sailing from downtown Seattle at Pier 50. The Melissa Ann, which has been covering the West Seattle Route since the 11:30 am sailing from Pier 50, completed its 4:00 pm departure from West Seattle and then resumed its regularly scheduled Vashon Island service which departed at 4:30 pm from Pier 50.
UPDATE:11:45
The West Seattle Water Taxi will resume its normally scheduled service with the vessel Melissa Ann at 11:30 am from Pier 50 in downtown Seattle. The Rachel Marie is headed in for repairs and it is anticipated it will be available for tonight's evening commute service without further interruption.
UPDATE 11:20 am
The King County Department of Transportation released the following statement about the fire aboard the West Seattle Water Taxi this morning.
This mornings incident on the RM was a failed alternation on the port generator. This is a small (one gallon milk jug size) 12 volt electrical unit that charges the batteries which start the prime mover. Just to put it in perspective, your car has one of these alternators which also charges your cars battery. This failure caused smoke -NO FIRE - When the captain was notified of the smoke, she took appropriate action and the trained crew responded by securing fuel and air to the engineroom.She secured the vessel at the dock and the crew debarked the passengers with no injuries. The Us Coast Guard and the Seattle fire department responded and Seattle fire provided assistance.
The USCG is currently aboard and taking crew statements. We are awaiting their investigation and permission to move the vessel back to pier 50 at which time service can resume using the Mellisa Ann.
Paul Brodeur
Director, Marine Division
King County
Department of Transportation
King County Councilmember Joe McDermott in a note to the West Seattle Herald said, "I just spoke to Paul Brodeur, the new Director of the Marine Division. He tells me that the Coast Guard is expected to give us clearance shortly to bring the Rachel Marie back to Pier 50. When that is done, the crew will transfer to the Melissa Ann and provide mid-day service on the West Seattle run."
He also believes that we have a alternator in our shore side facility and that it’s possible to have the repairs done in time to have the Rachel Marie back in service for the evening commute. That is not certain, but a possibility."
UPDATE 9:10 am
The Seattle Fire Department confirms that the fire aboard the West Seattle Water taxi this morning was electrical in nature. Harbor Avenue was blocked off but later reopened after fire crews determined there was no danger. The fire was confined to the engine room of the Rachel Marie. When the fire was detected the vessel returned to the dock at Seacrest Marina.
DART routes 773 and 775 that service the West Seattle Junction and Alki were suspended briefly as well but have now returned to service.
No word on when the the Water Taxi will return to service was offered.
Original post
The often troubled Rachel Marie, in service as the West Seattle Water Taxi suffered a small fire in the engine room this morning and was forced to return to the Seacrest Marina dock where passengers were disembarked. The fire may have been electrical in nature.
The service is suspended until further notice. Traffic on Harbor Ave. was blocked by the Fire Department as a precautionary measure.
DART Routes 773 & 775 scheduled from the Seacrest at 7:43 & 7:45 AM are temporarily blocked at the Marina due to Water Taxi electrical fire
