WSF YAKIMA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Dropping anchor damaged ferry

The 'Yakima' had to remain at the WSF Terminal in Anacortes until May 1, 2022, after on April 27 at 4:30 p.m., the anchor on the ferry came loose, dropped several feet down the side of the vessel and swung in place, bending metal on the hull and damaging it above the waterline. New reservations on the San Juan Islands route will be suspended at least through May 1. The 'Yakima'’s sailings have been canceled until further notice, while the damage is repaired.

Ferry crew recovered person over board

On Dec 6, 2021, the crew of the 'Yakima' responded to a person overboard at Friday Harbor. They recovered the victim out of the water within a few minutes.

Man missing from ferry

A man from California was reported missing from the 'Yakima' after she sailed from Lopez to Anacortes on Dec 31, 2020. His wife reportedthat he has not been seen or heard from in the two weeks since that day and she believed he jumped from the vessel. Michael Gentile, 59, of Lakewood, California was with his wife Genevieve and teenage son on a trip to Seattle and they decided to spend the day on Lopez Island on Dec 31. After visiting Lopez Island for the day, they drove aboard the delayed 4:20 p.m. sailing from Lopez to Anacortes with plans to return to their hotel in Seattle. Gentile got out the car, the last one in the parking lane and 20 minutes later he was not seen again. Upon arrival in Anacortes Gentile did not return to the car. When the ferry unloaded in Genevieve, Gentile notified the ferry workers that he was not with them, and a thorough search was made of the vessel and ferry terminal. Soon thereafter, a helicopter was involved in the search, and the Coast Guard began searching the waters of the Salish Sea on the ferry route, all to no avail. The Washington State Patrol responded, and an investigation was made from their office in Burlington, Skagit County. Because Gentile was last known to be alive in San Juan County, the County Sheriff and County Coroner there have jurisdiction and responsibilities. Gentile has been reported to the national database of missing persons and coordination has been made with colleagues in Canada with the RCMP and the British Columbia Coroner’s Service. Beach walkers and boaters were asked to be aware of the missing person and report if they see something useful. Anyone who traveled on that sailing of the 'Yakima' who may have information regarding Gentile has been requested to contact the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher at 360-378-4151. Gentile is reported to be 5’9” about 160 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black and red plaid jacket, grey shirt, beige pants and tennis shoes.