(‘Live’ photo from WSF dock cam)

3:51 PM: There’s a chance of more traffic backups awaiting the ferry at Fauntleroy tonight because of a temporary downsize in vessels. Here’s the Washington State Ferries announcement:

For Friday, January 3, the 87-car Tillikum will replace the 124-car Issaquah as the #1 vessel beginning with the 4:45 p.m. departure from Vashon to Fauntleroy. Later in the evening, (10:05 pm), the 124-car Cathlamet will continue in service to maintain a larger vessel on the route.

We’re checking on why M/V Issaquah is going out of Triangle Route service.

4:08 PM: WSF spokesperson Dana Warr tells WSB, “Repairs. The davit which helps raise and lower the rescue boat needs repairs. This is a USCG requirement.”

4:15 PM: And now word is in from King County Metro that Vashon’s foot ferry is out of service for the rest of today/tonight:

The Vashon Island Water Taxi is not operating tonight due to mechanical problems.

Riders can use the King County Metro RapidRide C Line – which connects downtown Seattle – close to the Pier 50 passenger-only facility located at Alaskan Way and Columbia Street to West Seattle and the Washington State Ferry Fauntleroy Terminal, which serves Vashon Island.

Affected trips to Vashon:
to Vashon scheduled at 4:30 PM from Vashon service at Pier 50 (SB)
to Vashon scheduled at 5:30 PM from Vashon service at Pier 50 (SB)
to Vashon scheduled at 6:30 PM from Vashon service at Pier 50 (SB)

Affected trips to Seattle:
to Seattle scheduled at 4:58 PM from Vashon Water Taxi Terminal (SB)
to Seattle scheduled at 5:58 PM from Vashon Water Taxi Terminal (SB)
to Seattle scheduled at 6:58 PM from Vashon Water Taxi Terminal (SB)