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Ferry, Freighter Have Near Miss In Puget Sound

Summary

Miscommunication is to blame for the MV Wenatchee getting within 600 yards of a freighter as the ferry was heading to Seattle.

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Story Published: Dec 21, 2005 at 6:56 AM PST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:09 AM PST

SEATTLE - An apparent miscommunication between the Washington state ferry Wenatchee and a large cargo ship Tuesday evening forced the ferry to back down hard to avoid a possible accident, the Coast Guard said.

The Wenatchee was westbound from Seattle to Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound about 6:45 p.m. when it arranged with the northbound Knud Maersk for one vessel to pass the other, Petty Officer Tom Winter said.

Apparently, there was a "miscommunication" about the passing arrangements, and the vessels came within about 600 yards of each other -- a distance Winter said was extremely close.

"It was to the point where the ferry had to back down really hard," Winter said.

No injuries were reported, and both vessels continued on their way, Winter said. The Coast Guard was investigating.

The Knud Maersk, which carries containerized cargo, is 1,050 feet long.