The Seattle Clipper is again in service for the primary time for the reason that pandemic started

The Clipper is returning passengers to the San Juan Islands for the first time in 15 months.

FRIDAY HARBOR, Washington – The Clipper is back, and so are visitors to the San Juan Islands.

To kick off Memorial Day weekend, the San Juan Clipper sailed back to Friday Harbor for the first time in 15 months.

“We feel like it’s a whole new start,” said Clipper captain Jason Mihok as he led the ship out of Pier 69 on Friday. “There were a lot of unknowns to us. We were one of the first companies to close and we are one of the last to be re-established, so a long wait.”

The ship had around 150 passengers who docked in Friday Harbor around noon. The city has weathered the health crisis remarkably well.

“Zero deaths and no community has spread all over this island,” said Farhad Ghatan while standing in front of his bed and breakfast. He is also the city’s mayor.

“The county issued a mask mandate early,” said Ghatan. “People were locked up here, very, very isolated from each other and from the mainland.”

On Friday, Washington State health records showed that only three active COVID-19 cases had occurred on all of the islands that make up San Juan County, and nearly 80% of eligible residents had started the vaccination process.

Ghatan said the biggest problem now is finding the staff and space to meet the requirements. He attributes the flow of visitors to a pent-up interest in travel and the limited international opportunities.

“Every window has a call for help sign, and restaurants all need help now,” he said.

“Personnel was a big issue for issue [the county], Housing matters, “said Crysta Griffith, who runs the Downrigger Waterfront Restaurant.” Space is key. We’ve had people out here since December when [indoor dining] was closed and dined when it was 37 degrees outside. “

Captain Mihok said San Juan Islands service and whale watching tours are a good start for the company, but staff are eagerly awaiting the US-Canada border reopening so business can really pick up pace.

“Right now we’re still a fraction of who we were until we can open the Victoria Run. We’re really naked. There are still a lot of people waiting to get back to work,” he said.