Crew member warned passengers to 'hold on' before water-taxi crash

Coast Guard inspectors are trying to determine what caused the West Seattle water taxi to crash into the sea wall beneath the Washington Street Public Boat Landing Sunday morning.

Seven passengers were taken to the hospital, though their injuries were not believed to be significant, according to Coast Guard Lt. Jon Lane.

The vessel caused "fairly significant" damage, Lane said, and had been wedged under the landing, on the Seattle waterfront.

He said the vessel was traveling at about 6 knots — around 7 mph.

Passenger Dave Barber, of West Seattle, said that before the collision, it sounded as if the engine would not go into reverse, which is what these vessels typically do before making landing.

A member of the crew announced over the public-address system, "Hold on to something, sit down if you can," Barber recalled.

The crew's announcement suggests mechanical failure was to blame, Lane said, though investigators will look into other possibilities, including crew error.

Despite the accident, water-taxi service between West Seattle and downtown will operate on a normal schedule Monday with the 6:50 a.m. sailing using an Argosy Cruises vessel, according to the King County Transportation Department.

Lane said 73 people had been onboard the Rachel Marie at the time of the accident.

A number of passengers were decked out in Seahawks garb and headed to the game.

King County operates the water taxi.

Lane said water taxis are inspected at least once a year, and the crew's qualifications are checked as well. The inspection history of the vessel was not immediately available.

The last significant ferry collision here was in August 2009, when a ferryboat serving the Seattle-Bainbridge route ran into Colman Dock. Investigators found that speed, poor visibility and human error were factors. One person suffered minor injuries.

The crew is on paid leave, pending the results of mandatory drug and alcohol testing, according to county spokeswoman Rochelle Ogershok.

Although regular service was set to resume Monday, officials said passengers should check the King County Marine Division's website for updates and potential schedule changes: www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/WaterTaxi/WestSeattleRoute.

Staff reporter Jim Brunner contributed to this report. Maureen O'Hagan: 206-464-2562 or mohagan@seattletimes.com.