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Here is this week’s WSF brief update. As always, please reach out with questions.
WSF Monday Matters.
One step closer to new ferries
Last week Eastern Shipbuilding Group was given the Notice to Proceed with the shipbuilding contract that was officially signed on August 7. With the contract now finalized, they can
get to work completing the design of the new ferries and developing a detailed project schedule.
At the same time, Washington State Ferries will work with our partner ABB <https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2024/welcome-aboard-washington-state-ferries-announces-partnership-new-hybrid-electric-vesse
ls> to design and develop the technology that will power the new vessels, including the engines and batteries. This should take about a year, then construction begins.
Read the full story here <https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/one-step-closer-to-new-ferries.html> .
Completed Sailings
For the week of Aug 11 – August 17 – we completed 97.89% of our 3,124 scheduled sailings. Of the 70 cancellations, 44% (31) were due to crewing, 31% (22) were due to schedule resets
(when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers), 23% (16) were due to vessel-related issues, and 1% (1)
were due to other miscellaneous reasons.
For comparison, during a similar period last year (August 12–18, 2024), we completed 98.9% of our 2,829 scheduled sailings. Of the 35 cancellations that week, 80% (28) were due to scheduled
resets, 6% (2) were due to crewing, 6% (2) were due to other miscellaneous reasons, 6% (2) were due to weather, and 3% (1) was due to an emergency.
Customer Service Alerts
For the week of Aug 11 - Aug. 18 - our customer service team sent 195 rider alerts, received 4,359 customer calls, and fielded more than 185 written comments and emails related to reservations,
schedules, and fares.
WSF Weekly Media Highlights
Florida builder receives notice to proceed with construction of new hybrid vessels for Washington State Ferries <https://www.bairdmaritime.com/passenger/ro-pax/florida-builder-receives-notice-to-proc
eed-with-construction-of-new-hybrid-vessels-for-washington-state-ferries> . Baird Maritime
WA ferry woodworkers keep century-old Colman Clock ticking <https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/wa-ferry-woodworkers-keep-century-old-colman-clock-ticking/> . Seattle
Times
State Ferries eyes parking lot for electrical equipment <https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/state-ferries-eyes-parking-lot-for-electrical-equipment/> Whidbey News-Times
Vessel Availability
We have now fully implemented our 18-vessel service this summer, allowing us to return to almost full domestic service – three years earlier than originally planned:
The reality of adding service: We’ll need to crew three more daily boats for this added service. While we've done a lot of hiring and career development in recent years, we will have
fewer available relief crew members. This could mean more cancellations due to a shortage of crew.
Hybrid Conversions/New Vessels/Terminal Electrification
New Vessels – Governor Bob Ferguson selected the $714.5 million bid from Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. We will move
forward with the contracting process, following the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years.
Terminal Electrification – Vessel charging system proposals have been reviewed and an award announcement is expected soon.
Hadley Rodero (she/her)
Deputy Director, External Relations | Washington State Ferries
C: 206-818-3813| E: hadley.rodero@wsdot.wa.gov <mailto:hadley.rodero@wsdot.wa.gov>