HomeMy WebLinkAbout092122 FW_ WSF Wednesday Service Disruptions
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From: Vezina, John
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2022 5:08:42 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Subject: WSF Wednesday Service Disruptions
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Ferry Legislators,
Good afternoon.
This evening we are facing significant crewing challenges on routes across the system. While our terrific dispatchers are working to fill vacancies, there will be likely service disruptions
on three routes:
* The Suquamish, currently assigned to the Clinton/Mukilteo route, is short an engine room crew member, forcing it to tie up at 6.30pm. This is due to the crewmember following COVID
relief protocols. Unfortunately, this is the fueling night for the other boat on the route, the Tokitae, so it will be tied up for fueling from approximately 9-10.30pm, suspending service
on the route. Because the Coast Guard requires a full engine room crew for fueling, we can’t move crew from the Tokitae to the Suquamish to keep it in service. We will reopen the
route as soon as possible.
* Earlier today, the Samish, currently assigned to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes, was out of service for several hours due to a lack of available crew. While it returned to
service this afternoon, the Chelan, also assigned to those routes, is missing a crewmember this evening. It is taking fuel now and then tying up for the remainder of the evening, which
is also due to COVID protocols. Operations staff are working with terminal supervisors on the route to adjust schedules, ensuring as may reservation holders as possible are accommodated.
This will likely mean the Yakima will be doing at “all stops” to and from Anacortes beginning at 7.15pm.
* The Issaquah, one of the two boats assigned to the Fauntleroy/Southworth/Vashon “Triangle” route, has been out of service since this morning with an engine issue. The Coast Guard
has cleared it for sea trials, which we expect to begin shortly. If those trials are successful, it will be returned to service immediately. If it fails its sea trials, we’ll move
the Sealth, currently at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility to the Triangle, restoring two-boat service, but likely not until after the evening commute.
We are sending passenger alerts to affected routes and updates on social media, giving customers as much time as possible to plan for these last-minute relief requests.
We know these service disruptions cause hardships for our passengers and work hard every day to avoid them. Most often we do, without the public being aware of how close we came to
reduced or suspended service. We’re working hard, with the resources you gave us, to build back the crewing necessary to restore normal service. For the reasons we’ve explained, that
will take time, but that’s not due to a lack of care of diligence from WSF staff.
Best,
John
John B. Vezina
Director
Planning, Customer and Government Relations
Washington State Ferries
Cell: 206.473.9945