WSF and Kitsap Transit expand ferry service before Seahawks parade

Washington State Ferries and Kitsap Transit announced added sailings and larger-capacity ferries into Seattle for Feb. 11 to handle large crowds for the Seahawks Super Bowl parade; city officials estimate as many as 1 million spectators may attend.

Washington State Ferries and Kitsap Transit announced expanded ferry operations into Seattle for Wednesday, Feb. 11, ahead of the Seahawks Super Bowl parade. Agencies said they are adding vessels and increasing seating to handle large crowds expected downtown. City officials estimated that as many as 1 million people could line the parade route, which begins at 11 a.m. and runs from Lumen Field along Fourth Avenue to Seattle Center. Service updates and capacity: - Kitsap Transit will run three 118-passenger fast ferries one-way into Seattle from Bremerton on Wednesday morning, with the same three boats returning one-way in the afternoon; additional morning sailings are listed at 7:00, 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45. - The Kingston fast ferry (MV Finest) will add crew to open upper-deck seating for a reported 324 riders per run, and the Southworth route will operate a 250-seat vessel from South Kitsap into downtown Seattle. Kitsap Transit also noted limited parking at terminals. - Washington State Ferries upgraded Bremerton-Seattle service to two boats for Tuesday and Wednesday, adding the Chimacum (1,500-passenger capacity) and the Sealth (1,195 passengers); the Sealth will move from the Mulkilteo-Clinton run. WSF said the Triangle Route will run three boats, adding the Salish (749 capacity) alongside Cathlamet and Kittitas. - Bainbridge Island continues two-boat service with the Tacoma and Wenatchee, each listed with a 202-car, 1,791-passenger maximum capacity and several morning departures. - WSF spokesperson Dana Warr said vessels are expected to be loaded to maximum capacity much of the day and that significant wait times are possible at terminals, especially Colman Dock. Summary: The added sailings and larger vessels increase ferry capacity into Seattle for parade day, and officials reported that long waits at terminals are likely. WSF announced two-boat Bremerton service for Tuesday and Wednesday and upgrades on the Triangle Route, while Kitsap Transit posted extra morning Bremerton runs and increased seating on Kingston and Southworth ferries. WSF said its schedule pages will carry any further updates.