HomeMy WebLinkAbout090825 - WSF Monday Matters (Sept 8)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Monday Matters
Wenatchee Sea Trials Continue
Sea trials on the Wenatchee have begun. Investigation by our technicians and engine crew discovered in August the control system communication wires were creating intermittent instability
which caused the drive motors to go offline. While unexpected, issues like this are a normal part of a vessel commissioning which involves rigorous inspection, maintenance and continuous
testing of equipment and systems.
Completed Sailings
For the week of Sept. 1-Sept. 7 – For the week of September 1 to September 7, we completed 98.85% of our 3,118 scheduled sailings. Of the 38 cancellations, 42% (16) 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), 24% (9) were due to vessel-related issues, 18%
(7) were due to crewing, and 16% (6) were due to weather.
For comparison, during a similar period last year (September 2 – September 8, 2024), we completed 98.34% of our 2,887 scheduled sailings. Of the 62 cancellations that week, 48% (30)
were due to crewing, 37% (23) were due to schedule resets, 10% (6) were due to vessel-related issues, 3% (2) were due to an emergency, and 2% (1) was due to other miscellaneous reasons.
Customer Service Alerts
For the week of Sept. 1 – Sept. 7 - our customer service team sent 142 rider alerts, received 3,391 customer calls, and fielded more than 190 written comments and emails related to reservations,
schedules, and fares.
WSF Weekly Media Highlights
How the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry route will get an electric upgrade <https://www.heraldnet.com/news/how-the-mukilteo-clinton-ferry-route-will-get-an-electric-upgrade/> HeraldNet
Saturday Seattle/Bremerton fast ferry removed from winter schedule <https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/saturday-seattle-bremerton-fast-ferry-removed-from-winter-schedule/> Kitsap
Daily News
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.
WSF Community Engagement and Government Relations
San Juan Islands FAC meeting on Wednesday Sep 10th -- 9 a.m.
Port Townsend FAC meeting on Wednesday Sep 10th – 10 a.m.
Bainbridge Island FAC meeting on Thursday Sep 11th – 6:30 p.m.
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>