Ferry service announces Edmonds/Kingston route out of service until further notice, within minutes changes mind

SEATTLE -- Within minutes of announcing the Edmonds/Kingston ferry route was out of service until further notice, ferry officials made a second announcement saying service had been restores.

Initially WSF officials were recommending riders use the Bainbridge/Seattle route as an alternative.  Such a recommendation and the wording of the original announcement indicated to many that the route disruption could be longer term in nature.

But that didn't turn out to be the case.

Initially ferry officials said the route was out of service "due to operational constraints."  But no further explanation was offered to passengers.

This morning one of the system's newest boats, the Tokitae, was spotted being towed across Elliot Bay.  Ferry officials said it was routine maintenance.