Watch: 'Bomb cyclone' sends massive waves inside Washington ferry amid turbulent seas

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Watch: 'Very, very rare' waves crash inside ferry boat in Washington

Video shot on Tuesday shows a ferry boat inundated by water as rough waters in northwest Washington slam waves into the vessel. (Courtesy: Washington State Ferries)

ANACORTES, Wash. – A Washington State Ferry crew had quite a bumpy ride during a journey across the Strait of Juan de Fuca Tuesday as winds raged as seas churned from a bomb cyclone that had earlier moved into nearby Vancouver Island.

The M/V Issaquah was being repositioned to its port in Anacortes to cover the popular San Juan Islands ferry route, transporting no passengers, just crew and their vehicles, according to Washington State Ferries.

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Washington State Ferries said the captain of the boat reported that the weather forecast looked good for the vessel. But after the crew exited the shelter of the inland Puget Sound waters, the seas ended up being rougher than expected as winds blasted to 50-65 mph. A gust at nearby Whidbey Island Naval Station reached as high as 70 mph Tuesday. 

Footage shot on the Issaquah begins with a shot of those vehicles as water rushes underneath and around them. In the background, the white waves of the Strait can be seen churning violently.

Water floods into compartment where vehicles are parked. 

(Washington State Ferries / X / FOX Weather)

"We sometimes have waves crashing over the bow, but for this to happen, it is very, very rare," Washington State Ferries said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. They noted that the vessel was moving outside its usual route.

The video then cuts to the other side of the ferry, where the water that initially flooded the central vehicle compartment flowed. The water can be seen moving side-to-side as the boat is tossed by the waves outside.

Water overflows into other parts of the ferry boat.

(Washington State Ferries / X / FOX Weather)

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A view from a higher deck showed how aggressive the waves were.

Waves hitting the Issaquah.

(Kellie Hughes Anderson / FOX Weather)

Images below captured the moments as waves batter the Issaquah over and over again.

A loop of images showing waves hitting the ferry boat.

(Kellie Hughes Anderson  / FOX Weather)

The photos below taken by Sarah Geist show a view of the Issaquah as it traversed the rough seas, buffeted by large waves.

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Washington has seen a parade of storms over the past week. Officially tagged a "bomb cyclone," the storm causing these dangerous conditions has created strong winds and even blizzard warnings in the nearby mountains.

Washington State Ferries said the vessel sustained minimal damage.