After two days without service, the ferry Klickitat returned Wednesday afternoon, making its runs between Whidbey’s Keystone Harbor and Port Townsend.

Ferry officials took the 80-year-old ferry out of service Monday afternoon so emergency work could be done to repair a crack in the Klickitat’s hull.

The repair work, coupled with the problem of no spare ferries available, canceled ferry runs and left commuters and tourists scrambling to find alternatives.

The problem started last weekend when workers discovered a crack along a weld seam in the Klickitat’s hull. Despite making temporary repairs, officials decided to take the ship out of service Monday to undertake more permanent repairs.

Officials had difficulty finding a drydock to make the repairs. It wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon that the Klickitat was at Todd Shipyards in Seattle and workers could begin repairs.

“They worked through the night and took care of the repairs,” said Traci Brewer-Rogstad, director of marine operations for Washington State Ferries.

She said workers fixed the crack in the hull by replacing an 18- by 9-inch piece of plating. Estimates place the repair work at $50,000.

The work was complete between 4 and 6 Wednesday morning. After inspections, the Klickitat was heading back up to Port Townsend in time to make its 2:15 p.m. departure.

The ferry made its first trip of the day from Keystone at 3 p.m.

Motorists started arriving for the ferry at 11 a.m. Vancouver, B.C., resident Ed Dueck was heading to Port Townsend to pick up a piece of furniture.

“We got up early to make sure we made the 12 o’clock ferry,” Dueck said from his car, not knowing at the time there was no 12 o’clock ferry.

Instead of making their way to Port Townsend, Dueck and and his daughter spent four hours walking around the scenic Keystone area and reading the newspaper.

Two days of ferry cancellations prompted ferry users to make alternative plans to get home or to work. Some drove around which required taking two ferries, while others made arrangements to stay in a hotel or with friends.

Randy Kennedy, who spends his days traveling throughout northwest Washington in his work as a manager for Millennium Digital Media, changed his plans and focused on working only on the eastern side of Admiralty Inlet.

Still others called their local representative.

State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen said she heard from her constituents as soon as the route went out of service.

She said this week’s incident shows the need for more modern vessels to serve the route.

When that will happen isn’t known yet. Haugen, who chairs the powerful Senate Transportation Committee, said plans to upgrade Keystone Harbor, or possibly move the terminal, are on hold until the ferry system resolves its financial problems.

“There is no money to relocate it,” Haugen said.

She said many people are also concerned about the possibility of larger boats providing service for the route, so any immediate solution is unlikely.