Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island Ferry | Pierce County, WA

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Additional Trainings Available for the City Experience App

HMS received positive feedback from the training sessions held the week of May 9, that we are offering three more sessions during the week of May 23. These sessions will be held at the Anderson Island terminal where riders can get assistance with downloading the app, purchasing, and viewing tickets, and general troubleshooting help. Sessions will be held:

Monday, May 23rd,12:45 – 3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 25th, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

New ticketing system launched May 1, 2022

Effective April 1, 2022, Pierce County Planning and Public Works implemented a new performance-based contract to better serve our passengers and provide additional transparency and accountability.

As part of the contract requirements, HMS Ferries launched a new, rider-friendly, full-service ticketing system beginning on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Buy Tickets or learn more about the new ticketing system.

New ferry contract effective April 1, 2022

Pierce County Planning and Public Works will be implementing a new contract with HMS Ferries Inc. for ferry operations, effective April 1, 2022. The new contract has been restructured to a performance-based contract to better serve our passengers and provide additional transparency and accountability. Learn more

Single-use ticket expiration dates

Based on the current ferry fare ordinance, all single-use tickets require a printed expiration date. They are valid until May 26, 2022, or the date indicated on the ticket. This date coincides with the end of the first non-peak season of 2022 and will help facilitate our transition to a new ticketing system this spring. The 10-day refund policy will still be offered at the end of this non-peak season.

New ferry fares effective Jan. 1, 2022

Ferry fares in 2022 are increasing 8.9% over the 2021 rates. Starting Jan. 1, 2022, single-use tickets (peak or non-peak season) purchased prior to Dec. 31, 2021 will not be accepted, regardless of the printed expiration date. Learn more

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Steilacoom, Ketron & Anderson Island Ferry

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Fares

Ferry Schedule

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Tides and Current

June 2022

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30

Mon, Jul 4

Independence Day
Read On
Mon, Jul 4

Semimonthly Fuel Run
Read On
Mon, Jul 18

Semimonthly Fuel Run
Read On

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Ferry Rider Alert

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New Ferry Fares

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Using the Ferry
About the Ferry

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Steilacoom Loading Lanes

Steilacoom Dock

Anderson Island Loading Lanes

Anderson Island Dock

Using the Ferry

Ferry Loading Guidelines

Updated: July 1, 2019

Loading lanes fill left to right. Loading will take place in the same order.
Do not leave gaps. Pull as close as you can to the vehicle in front of you.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended in the lanes, except to purchase tickets.
Be in your vehicle with the appropriate tickets at least 20 minutes before boarding.
Gates close two minutes prior to departure.
Please show ID for seniors or people with disabilities when purchasing and loading.
Traffic cones are used to block closed lanes. If lane is blocked, move to next lane or overflow parking along Martin Street.
Vehicles may only load from the ferry lanes.
Do not park behind a full lane or drive up behind the end of a lane that is loading—that’s cutting in line and we may deny you passage on that run.
Line cutting violations may result in a $48 ticket.
Oversize vehicles will be loaded to best balance the ferry.
Be respectful to staff and other ferry users. Hostile or abusive behavior may result in denied passage on that run.
Please do not block private driveways or public streets within the loading lanes.
Motorcycles arriving before boarding begins may park in designated areas below loading lanes. Motorcycles arriving during boarding must get behind vehicles already in lanes and may not pull to the front.

Download Ferry Loading Guidelines poster file.

Line cutting may result in $48 fine

As of July 1, 2019, cutting in ferry loading lanes may be subject to $48 fine. Avoid opportunities for line cutting by parking directly behind vehicle ahead without leaving a gap, and staying with your vehicle. Matching codes were enacted by Pierce County and the Town of Steilacoom to manage all loading lanes on the route.

Using the Ferry

Walk-On Passengers

Must be aboard five minutes prior to departure time.
While disembarking, wait in the designated area until directed.

Vehicles

Must be in line 20 minutes prior to departure time.
Keep railroad tracks clear at all times.
For loading lanes, fill Lane 1 first, Lane 2 second, and Lane 3 last.
Please turn off cell phones when loading and disembarking.
Follow all crew instructions.
Drive 5 mph or less.
Please turn car headlights off and use only parking lights when loading.
When parking on the ferry deck, pull as close as you can to the vehicle in front of you, set the emergency brake, and turn the engine off.
Motorcycles arriving before boarding begins may park in designated areas below loading lanes. Motorcycles arriving during boarding must get behind vehicles already in lanes and may not pull to the front.

More helpful information about using the ferry.

Extreme low tides
Oversize and low vehicles may be restricted during times of extremely low tides – these are tides of zero feet and below. Vehicles with low-hanging parts (bumpers, hitches, etc.) and extended overhangs from the rear axle (such as recreational vehicles) may be denied access to the ferry during extreme low tides. View NOAA tidal information to plan your travel.

Groups and events
Please email the ferry system at [email protected] at least two weeks in advance of planned events that will bring 10 or more people to Anderson Island. This is not a requirement, but it is helpful for other ferry riders. Events can cause ferry service delays due to more people needing access to the island. We may be able to provide input to help make your event a success. For groups of 10 or more, please help your guests with carpool and shuttle options to reduce ferry service impact.

About the Ferry

The Pierce County Ferry serves Anderson and Ketron islands from the town of Steilacoom. All fares are roundtrip and are collected at the Steilacoom Terminal.

We offer three ways to buy ferry tickets:

Buy ticket online
Smartphone app for Android or Apple
In-person at the Steilacoom Ferry Terminal.

Ferry riders must have the correct ticket(s) or passage will be denied. Times listed in the schedule are departure times. Ferry vessel loading may end up to five minutes in advance of departure.