Animals
Animals (except service animals for the disabled) are not allowed in terminals or within the passenger deck waiting area. Animals must be on a leash or in a pet container when on the vehicle deck. Animals that are not people-friendly must be muzzled or transported in a pet container. Owners are required to clean up (scoop) after their pets.

Medical Priority Boarding Application Form
Passengers may be allowed medical preferential loading aboard the ferry after submitting the medical priority boarding application form (PDF, 46 KB) where their physician certifies that an extended wait to board the ferry would cause a detrimental health risk to the passenger.

Navigation Bridge and Pilothouse
Per 46CFR78.10, all passengers and animals are excluded from the navigation bridge and pilothouse.

Open Flames/Smoking
Open flames, including heaters or stoves, are prohibited on the ferry vessel. No smoking is allowed anywhere aboard the ferry vessel, in vehicles, or on the ferry landing dock. All smoking materials must be extinguished prior to boarding the ferry vessel.

Propane/Gasoline Containers
US Coast Guard regulations require that propane tanks be shut off and sealed prior to boarding unless they are the primary fuel source for your vehicle. You may carry up to two freestanding propane tanks in addition to those in recreational vehicles, not to exceed 100 pounds water equivalent weight each (approximately 25 gallons). All propane tanks must be secured.

Gasoline and gasoline containers are not allowed aboard except in the internal tank of your vehicle or boat. Trailered boats may carry 2 US Coast Guard approved outboard motor fuel tanks of gasoline up to 6 gallons each. Gasoline in spare gas cans or empty cans is prohibited. All vehicles must have gas caps.

Running Vehicles
It is prohibited to run vehicle engines while the ferry vessel is underway, or to start engines before the ferry vessel has docked and walk-on passengers have disembarked.

Vehicle Fare Structure Applicability
The fare structure applies to all motorized vehicles including automobiles, motorcycles, and trucks. The rates apply to all vehicles pulling trailers, unlicensed vehicles, and road machinery on wheels.

Unattended Vehicles
Leaving vehicles unattended in the ferry loading lanes is prohibited and may result in the vehicle being towed at the owner's expense.

Vehicle Width
Any vehicle with a total width exceeding 11'0', measured from the furthest protruding item at each side of the vehicle, shall be charged TWICE the normal rate.

Vehicles 80 feet or longer, or over 11 feet in width, must schedule their departure time in advance. Contact phone number for scheduling is (253) 588-5290.

Dimension & Weight Restrictions for MV Christine Anderson
Maximum vehicle gross weight . . . .. . . . . . . . . .Legal Loads
Maximum vehicle height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 feet 6 inches

Dimension & Weight Restrictions for MV Steilacoom II
Maximum vehicle gross weight . . . . . . . . . . . . .Legal Loads
Maximum vehicle height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 feet 0 inches

Welcome Aboard!

Please take a few moments to read the following guidelines that are applicable while aboard the ferry vessel or at the ferry landing facilities. These are provided to ferry passengers so that a safe and secure trip is available to all.

1. Follow all directions from the ferry crew regarding safety, emergencies, orderly behavior, boarding and disembarking procedures.
2. Act respectfully toward each other and the ferry crew. Please, no quarreling, pushing, loud noises, vulgar or obscene language or gestures, fighting, spitting, etc.
3. Do not tamper with safety or life-saving equipment.
4. Do not litter; including throwing objects on the ferry vessel or overboard.
5. Use of weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products will not be tolerated.
6. No use of open flames or engagement in any actions that may be hazardous to others or to the ferry vessel.
7. No destruction, defacement, damage, or theft to any personal or county property. Any vandalism or theft will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
8. Remain in areas designated for passengers. Do not enter any unauthorized area.
9. Radios, tape or CD players, other electronic equipment or musical equipment may be used only if earphones are utilized so that the sound is audible only to the individual listener.
10. Smoking and consuming alcohol are prohibited anywhere on or within the ferry vessel or on the ferry landing docks.

Any instructions given by the ferry crew during the trip and during loading and disembarking must be observed. (CFR 49 Chapter 176.89(9)).

Ferry crew members are obligated to report violations of any of the above regulations by recording and reporting vehicle licenses to the appropriate authorities. Violations may cause you to be refused passage.

These ferry systems operate in Pierce County, but are not operated by Pierce County government.

Washington State Ferries, including the Pt. Defiance/Tahlequah (Vashon Island) route, (800) 843-3779

Herron Island Ferry (253) 884-9350