HomeMy WebLinkAbout083022 FW_ WSF Service Update
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From: Vezina, John
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2022 9:47:06 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Subject: WSF Service Update
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WSF-served City and County Elected Officials,
Good afternoon.
As WSF continues to address crewing challenges being experienced by maritime agencies around the continent (BC Ferries <https://bc.ctvnews.ca/hundreds-of-bc-ferries-employees-out-sick-at-any-given-ti
me-company-says-after-latest-cancellations-1.5992690> , Alaska Marine Highway System <https://mustreadalaska.com/tustemena-tied-up-in-homer-because-there-are-not-enough-workers-to-run-the-ferry-unti
l-july-30/> , Staten Island Ferry <https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/staten-island-ferry-running-limited-service-due-to-systemic-staffing-shortage/> ), we’ve heard from some
of you requesting additional service for significant community events. While vessel crewing limitations preclude us from adding another boat, we are working to ensure we have the
crewing necessary to allow full walk-on capacity for each vessel. As you may know, some vessels sail with a crewing level allowed by the U.S. Coast Guard, but with a passenger limit.
These regulations, meant to ensure enough crewing during an emergency, can’t be disregarded.
With the busy Labor Day weekend coming up, we are working to ensure we have crewing available to meet the service to which we’ve committed <https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/WSF-Servic
eRestorationPlanProgressReport-17August2022.pdf> . When those basic crewing requirements are met, we’ll work on the additional crewing necessary to allow for a maximum of walk-on passengers,
helping those who are helping us by not adding a vehicle to our loads.
We know the last month, with summer traffic and reduced sailings, some of them last minute, have been challenging and frustrating. I hope there’s also recognition of the incredible
work being done by our vessel crews and terminal staffs – exasperation aimed at them, the people allowing the system to operate, harms morale and makes it more difficult to rebuild
the crewing necessary to restore service.
Please let me know if you have questions.
Thanks,
John
John B. Vezina
Director, Planning, Customer and Government Relations
Washington State Ferries