HomeMy WebLinkAbout071723 FW_ WSF Service and New Scholarship Program
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From: Vezina, John
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2023 9:15:21 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Subject: WSF Service and New Scholarship Program
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County and City Elected Officials from WSF-served Communities,
Good morning.
This weekend, at the end of our two-week crewing cycle, when many of our vessel crewmembers has already worked their weekly hours, plus overtime, saw service on several routes reduced
due to crewing. Yesterday afternoon alone the Clinton/Mukilteo and Fauntleroy/Southworth/Vashon routes were reduced to one-boat service and while we were able to continue two-boat
service at Edmonds/Kingston, it was with reduced passenger capacity. Of course Seattle/Bremerton and Port Townsend/Coupeville are already on one-boat service. Please know our team,
specifically our dispatchers, work incredibly hard to fill relief requests, but during summer, when people are taking well-deserved earned leave, it’s challenging. Nobody at WSF takes
tying up vessels lightly, especially on summer weekends, but with safety and U.S. Coast Guard requirements always our first priority, we can’t sail without the crew necessary to act
in an emergency. In case you haven’t seen it, this KING-5 story <https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/washington-state-ferries-staffing-issues/281-c9f8b3ed-700c-47c5-8684-921835d86f1a>
from Thursday does a great job of explaining the issue.
On a more positive note, thanks to funding Governor Inslee requested and the legislature funded, WSF, in coordination with the Marine Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS),
is able to offer 10 new licensed deck scholarships to help with our most critical crewing need. As explained in the attached flyer, these two-year, $34,000 scholarships (plus a stipend
for each day of onboard training) will provide the academic training and onboard experience to become a licensed deck officer. We’re very excited about the program and hope you’ll
pass on the information to constituents who may be interested in participating.
We know this was a tough weekend for your constituents who rely on WSF for essential, or even fun, travel. We appreciate your support, and their patience, as we continue working to
build – both our crewing and new vessels.
Best,
John
John B. Vezina
Director
Planning, Customer and Government Relations
Washington State Ferries <https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries>
Cell: 206.473.9945