An electrical fire in the engine room of the M/V Yakima has the 50-year-old ferry out of service indefinitely.

The fire broke out just after beginning loading of the scheduled 10:30 a.m. departure from Friday Harbor on March 8, but was quickly extinguished by crew members.

“We are really, really proud of our crew who lept into action and did exactly what they’re trained to do,” said Ian Sterling, Washington State Ferries public information officer. “All of our crew, from entry level on up go to fire school. They were able to extinguish the fire in a matter of minutes, even before the fire department arrived.”

According to John B. Vezina, Washington State Ferries government relations liaison, deck crew members reported smoke coming from a vent on the ferry’s car deck. A fire was found within a 2’x4’x6′ electrical panel in the machine shop. It is unknown exactly what caused the fire but a throrough investigation will be done.

The few passengers aboard were able to quickly and safely disembark.

The Garth Foss tugboat arrived at 2:30 p.m. to tow the Yakima out of the main slip where it had been blocking vehicle access to or from the island since the fire broke out. Earlier in the day the Chelan was able to pull into the auxillary slip and allow bicycle and foot passengers to board.

“The good news is that we’re moving vessels around to make service available as soon as the Yakima is able to be towed away,” said Sterling. “It will be business as usual tomorrow morning in Friday Harbor.”