HomeMy WebLinkAbout071224 email - RE_ Friday WSF Service DisruptionsALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
County and city elected officials from WSF-served communities,
Good morning.
In Hadley’s absence, I’m expanding the distribution of the email I sent specific routes earlier this morning, so you’re aware of service adjustments on several routes.
We are moving vessels to restore as much service capacity as possible until the Yakima can be returned to service. This affects three routes:
* The 124-vehicle Chelan is on its way from the Clinton/Mukilteo route to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes, replacing the 144-vehicle Yakima and restoring four-boat service there.
We expect that to begin with a 2pm sailing from Anacortes.
* The 90-vehicle Sealth has been repaired (thank you, Vessels team!) and is on its way to Clinton/Mukilteo route, where we expect it to restore two-boat service at noon(ish).
* The Sealth has been operating as a bonus boat on the Fauntleroy/Southworth/Vashon routes for one watch on weekdays, which it will resume when we’re able to relieve it at Clinton/Mukilteo.
We understand your constituents’ frustration, especially on a sunny summer Friday, but please know we’re doing everything we can to provide as much service as possible. Please let me
know if you have questions, or forward me constituent emails you’d like me to answer.
Best,
John
From: Vezina, John
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2024 7:21 AM
Cc: Rodero, Hadley <hadley.rodero@wsdot.wa.gov>
Subject: Friday WSF Service Disruptions
San Juan Islands, Anacortes, Clinton, and Mukilteo Elected Officials,
Good morning. I’m sending on Hadley’s behalf as she’s out today.
The Yakima, one of four vessels assigned to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes, remains out of service. The vessel’s engine room crew and staff from our Eagle Harbor Maintenance
Facility are on board and continue to work on repairs. Without the Yakima available, the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes are on three-boat service, without other travel options,
on a busy summer Friday. Unfortunately, to restore four-boat service in the San Juans we have to reduce service elsewhere.
This morning we will move the Chelan, currently assigned to the Clinton/Mukilteo route, north, to restore four-boat service to the San Juans. Frustratingly, as well as the issue with
the Yakima, the Sealth, our current service relief vessel is out of service with a steering issue. We expect the Sealth to be out for the day, but as soon as its repaired we’ll send
it to the Clinton/Mukilteo route to restore two-boat service there.
The last 24 hours have been extremely difficult for our San Juan Islands customers as they were temporarily on one-boat service, then two, and finally three. Additionally this morning,
the Kaleetan, one of the other boats assigned to the San Juan Islands is on reduced passenger capacity due to an issue with its davits. We know moving one of the boats from Clinton/Mukilteo
on a summer Friday will also mean significant delays there, but while frustrating, those passengers can drive around from Whidbey’s north end, an option not available to San Juan Islands
residents. We will restore two-boat service at Clinton/Mukilteo as soon as the Sealth is repaired and crewed to move north.
Please let me know if you have questions.
Best,
John
John B. Vezina
Director
Planning, Customer and Government Relations
Washington State Ferries