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July 3, 2025
A message from Steve
I’m excited to share big news on our journey to build new vessels. This week, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgovernor.wa.gov%2Fnews%2F2025%2Fgovernor-fer
guson-selects-eastern-shipbuilding-group-construct-new-ferries/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/OSOe0bglWnxi9YLmzWNAV5vEvps6c_AwziZ6p8sGY58=412> we will
award a contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.easternshipbuilding.com%2F/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/IL4ERi2h
hg2jLprpHaYzLSDh_MLygGvtNtCXZ1zerJc=412> to build our first new hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries. This is a huge step forward in making our system cleaner and more reliable. After a
year of competitive bidding <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdotblog.blogspot.com%2F2024%2F05%2Fferry-fleet-of-the-future.html/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714e
b8-000000/AwQidhLLM9sDExU_LNJIbnJzHKWzjS36UqmUjIlRKO0=412> , Eastern won with a bid of $714.5 million to build three boats. This doesn’t include approximately $150 million per vessel
for owner-furnished equipment and contingencies, bringing the total for the first vessel to $400 million, with the next two costing less as efficiencies are gained.
<https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOT/2025/07/11898436/bid-award_original.jpg>
Now that we have a shipyard, the next step is to finish the design. Eastern will work with our partner ABB to provide the electric engines and make sure everything is built right.
These vessels will first serve our Mukilteo/Clinton, then Seattle/Bremerton routes. When our terminals are ready with charging power, these new ferries will cut emissions by about 90%
compared to our older ferries. This helps move us closer to our goal of adding 16 new ferries by 2040 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.wa.gov%2Fconstruction-planning%2Fmajor-pr
ojects%2Fferry-system-electrification/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/Y3XguR6S3712SHnKJajVTtDOQwhkC0ukMM4LkVsFvhs=412> so we can provide better service
for our communities.
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Fourth of July holiday ferry travel
The Independence Day ferry travel rush <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.wa.gov%2Fabout%2Fnews%2F2025%2Fred-white-and-blue-lots-ferry-traffic-too/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803
-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/HhkMadVSUEhe2xwvzBUOO741Bw_3M4InSO3kjUYNoIE=412> kicked off yesterday with more than 74,000 riders in a single day. By Sunday, July 6, we expect nearly
400,000 people aboard our vessels over the five-day period. To help navigate the extra traffic, we recommend using the WSDOT mobile app <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.wa.gov%
2Ftravel%2Fmobile-app-and-social-media/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/gPVmW7vVOhUnt4vcOxvC2ZQOzB-0FZpbGcE6f-wJCDI=412> . The app and our website <https://links-1.govde
livery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.wa.gov%2Ftravel%2Fwashington-state-ferries/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/PGL84vZvOj0OB5L4UsmrWGgmvwDgkXOHCQAeb5gI4Wc=412>
show sailing schedules <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2Fferries%2Fschedule%2Fdefault.aspx/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/XkBm39c7i8Nlo0cL
IMKsWPlo8f7iznyqWgLI0lCJpoo=412> , live terminal conditions <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2Fferries%2Fvesselwatch%2Fterminals.aspx/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-8
9df-1f0988714eb8-000000/vJtKbRSnAK0qt2SN9fuw3CreWpTYtOxAl0S8l81DfKA=412> and traffic cameras. You can also check rider alerts <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2Fferries%2Fs
chedule%2Fbulletin.aspx/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/s3eYnXLKmIfoGMUb1xUFy8-zY9TQEfDAznaAEdKl3ok=412> , track our ferries on a real-time map <https://links-1.govdeli
very.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2Fferries%2Fvesselwatch%2Fdefault.aspx/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/hmaXwrcFZ_s-OxO2tSXvTSJ4BFFeI0OfPh1FSNAvyVs=412>
and make vehicle reservations <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fsecureapps.wsdot.wa.gov%2Fferries%2Freservations%2Fvehicle%2Fdefault.aspx/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1
f0988714eb8-000000/1xqVg4FGrMfvwsnt62rWa7rPEle_cHdK8_rkDJhGtXQ=412> for our Anacortes/San Juan Islands or Port Townsend/Coupeville runs.
<https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOT/2025/07/11898437/fourth_original.jpg>
The busiest sailings will be westbound (or onto an island) through Friday, July 4, then eastbound (or off island) Saturday and Sunday, July 5-6. There will be a few schedule changes
on the Fourth of July.
For riders on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route, the holiday brings more than fireworks. Starting July 4, we’ll have two boats running every Friday through Monday through Oct. 13. This
is the final step in our plan to restore nearly full domestic service <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdotblog.blogspot.com%2F2025%2F05%2Fguess-whos-back-back-again-2-boat.html/1/0
1000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/PV5L0FOjCKH5W-7_5adYlJWqNbrdl_KEDDrcBlLcD3Q=412> – three years earlier than originally planned. We are pleased to have 18
boats in service for what will likely be our busiest ridership weekend of the year. I appreciate our staff's work over the holiday weekend to provide the best service we can for our
riders.
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Daily 3-boat schedule returns to "Triangle" route
The second step in our plan to restore service began on Monday. That’s the day we brought back daily three-boat service on our “Triangle” route. View three-boat schedule for Fauntleroy/Vashon
<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2Fferries%2Fschedule%2Fscheduledetailbyroute.aspx%3Froute=f-v-s/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/P0bK_NCojdZz
dT1cjP9exz05e_oTTG0zRvC_tsqqYVw=412> , Fauntleroy/Southworth <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2FFerries%2FSchedule%2Fscheduledetailbyroute.aspx%3Froute=f-s/1/01000197d1d2c2a
6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/0VDY7xjS_hcGMwqEprf9TTlwNbbL51QudLnCUd00sDQ=412> and Southworth/Vashon <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2FFerries%2FSchedule%2
Fscheduledetailbyroute.aspx%3Froute=s-v/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/OuhuQzHuzKeXafDGGIutJnYvVQ50P6ZzCNOIOZGl4P4=412> . This is great news, but we want
to be honest, sometimes, due to a lack of boats or crew, we may still need to go back to our two-boat schedule. If that happens, the “Triangle” route’s new backup schedule <https://links-1.govdelive
ry.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.com%2FFerries%2FSchedule%2Fscheduledetailbyroute.aspx%3Fschedrouteid=2338%26route=f-v-s/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/-ntL75_5yNAo2c0ZrvU
Yk6sNq0aFtgcoGpHqxQFiLds=412> (use the drop-down menu at the top to view the other two segments of the route) – created with input from a community advisory group – will be used. Our
first step in restoring service was to bring back the two-boat schedule on our Seattle/Bremerton route on June 15.
<https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOT/2025/07/11898439/6288316/triangle_crop.jpg>
Our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route returned to to a daily three-boat schedule on Monday for the first time since Oct. 2021.
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Study on passenger-only ferries
We recently released a Passenger-Only Ferry Study (PDF 8.2MB) <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2025-06%2FWashington-State-Ferries-Passenger-On
ly-Ferry-Study-Final-Report-June2025.pdf/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/iXX-nkHhtpEiuLNMKlQBx7sIytxJbm3xpVWdwKfvo78=412> , as required by the state Legislature.
The study looked at how the state could add passenger-only ferry service to support current routes and improve travel options. It highlighted two potential routes in Puget Sound (Whidbey
Island-Everett and Bellingham-Friday Harbor) and two options for interisland service in the San Juan Islands. The study shared ideas about how these routes could help people get around
our waterways without cars and what it would cost to start them. This report will help lawmakers decide what role the state should take in the future of passenger-only ferry service.
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Keep crab pots away from our routes
Ferries and crabbing are both part of summer in the Pacific Northwest. But they don’t go well together in the same waters. Crab pots in ferry lanes can cause damage and delays. They
can also be dangerous. Many areas of Salish Sea open for crabbing <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Ffishing%2Fshellfishing-regulations%2Fcrab/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08
-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/SXpiVBZQz_18YzWuRHFL-XFIkJ_1hx-cWJWJQkv-AtQ=412> today or Sunday. If you’re heading out, please keep crab pots away from our routes. For tips on
safe and successful crabbing, check out the Northwest Straits Initiative’s tips and tricks <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fnwstraitsfoundation.org%2Fderelict-gear%2Fcatch-more-crab%
2F/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/cnRe1VgFYADiqKHCw170YlWt6yBazC_yBFDa7Y3y_Tk=412> . A Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed rule <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/C
L0/https:%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Fabout%2Fregulations%2Fdevelopment%2Ffishing-closure-near-wsdot-ferry-terminals/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/6YpaMWIY86HFKMFM8n3LIvrubPcm
82fmzYaRKl8ijnc=412> would ban commercial and recreational crabbing, shrimping and fishing with purse seines or gillnets near our terminals. WDFW is asking for public feedback before
its hearing on the matter at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
<https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOT/2025/07/11898448/6288317/crab-pot_crop.jpg>
Crab pot line entanglements have led to costly repairs for us and hundreds of canceled sailings for our customers.
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AB to Mate Program graduates work towards license
Twelve of our deck crew members just finished our latest AB to Mate Program. This program helps our employees get the training they need to earn their mate’s license. It gives them a
chance to move up to licensed deck officer jobs. These jobs are one of our greatest areas of need. We offer this program with the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies.
This year’s class was the first that had to take their mate’s license test right after finishing their courses. They worked hard and met the challenge. Seven of them have already passed
all their tests. The other five have dates set to take their tests before the end of July. Congratulations!
<https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOT/2025/07/11898449/ab-to-mate_original.png>
Our recent AB to Mate Program graduates ([L-R] Donnie Sanders, Mark Freiboth, Mariah Kelly, Collin Brasfield, Andy Brooks, Walter Olson, Peter Schmidt, Christine Cole, Evan Martin, Rafael
Roman, Jonathan Bunt and Michael Long) pose for a photo with Director of Fleet Operations Beth Stowell (left), Program Assistant Bahar Suseyi (center), Jay Mortiz, Port Captain Jim
Bauer and Deputy Assistant Secretary John Vezina.
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Northwest Maritime’s WA360 boat race
Northwest Maritime <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fnwmaritime.org%2F/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/y1pBGWsMEKD5YujApLkPnn6P-S2KEMMOXcAUcalmAec=412>
is a local group that helps people of all ages learn about life on the water. They do this through hands-on programs and fun events. One way we work with Northwest Maritime is through
Maritime High School <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fmaritime.highlineschools.org%2F/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/QiTplUzh4CIukwx9VRXXezMER8XMTwMOC
lD5vGEd130=412> . This is a free public school where students can learn about jobs on the water, like working on our ferries. This helps us find and inspire future maritime workers.
To celebrate the start of Northwest Maritime’s WA360 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fnwmaritime.org%2Fnwmc-events%2Fraces-cruises%2Fwa360%2F/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89
df-1f0988714eb8-000000/Z6kJvo-C6wrWbDqfDxRU3KbLXO0_x9AT-q1Fd4Wvr0g=412> boat race, we flew special flags on many of our vessels last weekend. The race began in Port Townsend on Saturday.
It is a 360-mile race that lasts two weeks. The race will end on Saturday, July 12. Some racers already finished on Tuesday.
<https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOT/2025/07/11898427/6288318/wa360_crop.jpeg>
We flew the WA360 flag on many of our ferries last Saturday through Monday to celebrate the start of the boat race.
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Sailing stats for the week of June 23-29
For the week of June 23-29, we completed 98.7% of our 2,878 scheduled sailings. This figure is separate from on-time performance <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flinks-1.govdelivery.c
om%2FCL0%2Fhttps:%252F%252Flinks-1.govdelivery.com%252FCL0%252Fhttps:%25252F%25252Fwsdot.wa.gov%25252Ftravel%25252Fwashington-state-ferries%25252Fabout-us%25252Fferries-accountability-and-service-dat
a%25252Ftime-performance-reports%252F1%252F01000194dcf5b09a-1cc58bac-e8d1-4dd5-a5fa-e5d050f4318c-000000%252FEcn6XrKNrhddxOG9p_FpkHxJr5Ppac-nFAHMCUT6_Uc=391%2F1%2F01000195b4eeeb33-7b313ff4-110c-4362-8
09e-307f18b913f7-000000%2FqwTzuXUO60Sp74uBRhNHYZSaLUQs3ccH2ePWR6d7x68=397/1/01000197d1d2c2a6-7556fd08-1803-443e-89df-1f0988714eb8-000000/jPCmDnMenBnKiDDqCIvOYZuvtOh7xK61lt31Owsv1Ag=412>
. Of the 44 cancellations, 18 were due to tidal currents, 13 for schedule resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability
for customers), nine because of terminal-related issues, three due to vessel-related issues and one for an emergency.
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Customer kudos
“I took the Edmonds 3:15 ferry on 5/23/25. I had just had surgery and quickly boarded with a medical pass. That was so helpful!! The line was crazy long. Mostly, I wanted to share that
all of the employees that we interacted with were beyond friendly and helpful. Thank you so much!!!”
-Edmonds/Kingston route customer
________________________________
Steve Nevey
WSDOT Deputy Secretary for Washington State Ferries
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