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Home My WebLink About092324 - WSF Weekly Highlights (Sept 23)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. How our ferry system is tackling issues while building for a stronger future This WSF Blog <https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2024/09/how-our-ferry-system-is-tackling-issues.html> was originally posted Sept 16th and shared publicly. We hear all kinds of feedback from our ferry riders, from “I love the ferries” to frustration from folks waiting after a canceled sailing. It’s easy to focus on the day-to-day, but what’s the real story? How are our ferries really doing? There’s good news, and we’ll call it, hard news. The hard news is it will take some time before we’re back to how things were before the pandemic. Our first new vessels won’t arrive until 2028. Until then, we’ll keep working to trial and restore the three routes still on reduced service <https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/WSF-Service-Contingency-Plan-2024.pdf> , but that will take time. The good news is we’re working hard to get better and make our system stronger for the future. We’re making our work culture better by building on what’s good and creating a more supportive, team-friendly environment. Everyone must feel valued as that is a key to retaining the staff we need for the future. That means all employees follow five main values: serve, grow, trust, respect and navigate. By living these values, we aim to improve customer service, build a more positive work environment, boost performance, and reach our goals while encouraging new ideas and ongoing improvement. Thanks to a lot of hard work, new ideas, and money from the Legislature, our crew shortage is getting better. It will take time to fully fix, but we have pipelines in place to recruit, hire and train qualified mates and captains, our biggest crewing challenge over the past few years. Right now, we have 187 licensed deck officers, with a goal of reaching 200. This is a big win, especially with the worldwide shortage of mariners. Now we’re focusing on building up our engine room team in the same way. We have 180 licensed engine room employees but need 200. We’re hiring more oilers and wipers to train them to become future assistant and chief engineers, and we are working on supporting additional training to help prepare those folks to be successful. These skilled workers are crucial for keeping our boats running, especially our older ones, with the help from our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility staff. This summer, we signed a contract with ABB <https://new.abb.com/us> to help build the propulsion systems for our first five hybrid-electric ferries <https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/major- projects/ferry-system-electrification> . We’re also talking with other companies about constructing the other components of these boats. Again, we expect the first two to arrive in 2028. Meanwhile, the first of our three Jumbo Mark II ferries is getting its long-planned propulsion upgrade and hybrid conversion. So, the next time you ride one of our ferries, know you’re supporting our big comeback. We’re like the Seattle Mariners, working hard today to build the dream of tomorrow. Maybe give a ferry worker a high five. We’re facing challenges together and sailing as a team. Together, we’re building a better ferry system for the future while doing our best to serve Washington state today. Spotlight Hearing passengers’ stories, answering customers’ questions, and engaging with the public in planning major infrastructure projects are key to our success. We’re focused on three efforts in this area recently: * Each year, WSF host three rounds of public meetings to engage and inform those we serve. These are important meetings that give the public a chance to share concerns and ideas and increase understanding of specific decisions being made by WSF. Participants need to register before the online meetings scheduled for noon Tuesday, Sept. 24 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/ht tps:%2F%2Fwsdot-wa.zoom.us%2Fwebinar%2Fregister%2FWN_SUg63geeQTaRwIV9pnEdrg%23%2Fregistration/1/01000191de0a9ff9-13b28689-34d5-4a86-9ad2-af23364b62cc-000000/N19v2wqOuMu9m9Me6mG0xHQvqmfpebUHYij-PXKBPe g=370> , and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwsdot-wa.zoom.us%2Fwebinar%2Fregister%2FWN_pmqJxPp5TwSOgMMbLmhkPw%23%2F/1/01000191de0a9ff9-13b28689-34d5-4a86- 9ad2-af23364b62cc-000000/enxIhv8FiwTIRBKiKKOAQp0_pwC79g_38SGLa8cFEtY=370> . Both public meetings will cover the same material and are designed to give participants the option to join the Zoom meeting that best fits their schedule. Meeting participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments during the meeting or ahead of time by emailing wsfcomms@wsdot.wa.gov <mailto:wsfcomms@wsdot.wa.gov> . * Last week several WSF employees met with the San Juan Islands Schedule Update Task Force <https://youtu.be/kCXFt9qugZU> to review more than 400 comments made during a four-week online open house and discuss new sailing schedules that will start December 29th. WSF has been working with the resident task force for more than a year to update to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands sailing schedules <https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-studies/anacortes-san-juan-islands-schedule-update> . Current seasonal sailing schedules have not been updated in over a decade leading to significant delays throughout the year. * The Fauntleroy Terminal’s 50-year-old trestle and transfer span must be replaced to maintain safe and reliable service. This project supported by three advisory groups <https://wsdot.wa.gov/constr uction-planning/major-projects/sr-160-fauntleroy-terminal-trestle-transfer-span-replacement> launched in summer 2021, depends on public input from the three very different communities impacted by it – Fauntleroy in West Seattle, Vashon Island, and Southworth in Kitsap County. The Community Advisory Group <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTrm5aLNmMk> last met on August 28 and focused on Good to Go! and an advance ticket study for the route. We look forward to continued community engagement as the project moves forward toward selecting an alternative for additional design and environmental review. WSF Weekly Media Highlights WSF offers ‘Classroom on the Water’ program to local students Fox 13 https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/1518706 <https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/1518706> VIDEO: WSF reports progress on Wenatchee electrification Marine Log https://www.marinelog.com/news/video-wsf-reports-progress-on-wenatchee-electrification/ <https://www.marinelog.com/news/video-wsf-reports-progress-on-wenatchee-electrification/> From Norway to New York, Electric Ferries Are Taking Over The Globe EVWORLD.com https://evworld.com/synopsis.php?newsid=6629 <https://evworld.com/synopsis.php?newsid=6629> Major Milestones of the Week During the last few months WSF has been able to place a third, unscheduled “bonus boat” on the Fauntleroy/Southworth/Vashon “Triangle” route weekdays for one watch a day – in the early morning to early afternoon. With the start of the fall sailing schedule and for the first time since 2020, a third, unscheduled bonus boat started weekend service and is expected to continue to support service seven-days a week when crewing and vessel availability allow. This will help overall on-time performance of the route and provide better service for the three communities relying on ferry transportation for essential, business, recreational or personal needs. Department News Fleet Operations – More information to come, but WSF is developing a Wiper Boot Camp to help equip newly hired engine room employees learn some essential skills needed as they work on the ferry engines. Also, there will be changes in the timeframe deck and terminal employees will be hired. Instead of traditional large hiring events in early spring for summer, WSF will move to quarterly hiring of smaller groups allowing for a more comprehensive and focused hiring practice. External Relations - Last week, WSF Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey joined Governor Inslee at a meeting in Friday Harbor, announcing state emergency funding to ensure ferry-dependent San Juan Islanders, including medical staff, school students, businesses, and essential county employees can get to their destinations during WSF service disruptions. Sunday marked the start of WSF’s fall sailing schedule, which means slightly reduced service on some routes as robust summer ridership declines. Developed by WSF’s Planning team (a critical part of External Relations), the schedules will be in effect until Sunday, December 29, when the winter sailing season begins. Service Reliability For the week of September 16-22, systemwide service reliability was 97.2%. Last week, we canceled 79 of 2,825 scheduled sailings. Of those cancellations, 69% (57) were due to crewing, 17% (14) were for schedule resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers), and 14% (12) were due to tidal currents. *For WSF, “reliability” refers to a scheduled sailing taking places, not on-time-performance. We understand for the public a significantly late sailing isn’t “reliable,” but we also share on-time-performance data <https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/wsferries/viz/WSF-Public/Index> for transparency on both metrics. Vessel Availability We’re operating at our 15-vessel current service level, adding a 16th “bonus” boat on the Fauntleroy/Southworth/Vashon “Triangle” route when crewing and vessel availability allows. New Vessels and Jumbo Mark II Conversions Hybrid Conversions – Upgrades to the Wenatchee propulsion system and installation of electric power equipment is expected to be completed and return to service in summer 2025. Significant work has been completed to date to include removal of two propulsion diesel generators, installation of electric power conversion and distribution equipment, upgrades to obsolete propulsion control equipment, reconfiguration of piping systems, and build-out of two new battery rooms. Ongoing work includes installation of thousands of feet of electric and fiber optic cable. From there, the battery modules will be installed, and crews will begin to bring the ferry back to life. The Tacoma conversion will not happen until the Wenatchee returns to service. View a video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkgT9Z8Z2RU> showing the progress to date and the WSF press release <https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2024/wenatchee-shipyard-work-continues-conversion- hybrid-electric-propulsion-progressing> sent last week on the Wenatchee. New Vessels – The contracting process for new vessels continues and we’re in active discussions with industry about the terms of the Invitation for Bid we released. We are still scheduled to deliver two boats in 2028. WSF Community Engagement and Government Relations * Tuesday, September 17 – Senate Transportation Committee work session presentation of future ferry funding needs * Wednesday, September 18 – Meeting with City of Bainbridge Island and WSDOT Olympic Region on ferry queue management on SR 305 near the Bainbridge terminal * Wednesday, September 18 – San Juan Islands Sailing Schedule Update Task Force meeting ZmAGUAcgByAHkAIABxAHUAZQB1AGUAIABtAGEAbgBhAGcAZQBtAGUAbgB0AMcKfNRNwc0UEAchsCIAAIA/MgAAKEICAABAQBIAAIA/Fv3Z/ToUAKDBRBoA4L5EHDZdfD8eAOC+RCA2XXw/IgAAmEEkPvdIPCYAAJhBKD73SDzuAQAAgD80AACAPzYxDMM8OAAAIEI6P c9zPzwAACBCPj3Pcz9AAACAP0IxDMM8RAAAgD9GMQzDPCoAAGBBLAAAYEEuAADgQDAAAOBASAAAYEFKAABgQUwAAOBATgAA4EAAE2IAYQBpAG4AYgByAGkAZABnAGUAIAB0AGUAcgBtAGkAbgBhAGwAxwrTXBrBzRQQBx+wIgAAgD8yAAAoQgIAAABAEgAAgD8W/jup OhQAoMFEGAAAAD8aAOC/RByur30/HgDgv0Qgrq99PyIAAEBBJP3Z/TsmAABAQSj92f077AEAAAA/7gEAAIA/NAAAgD82MQzDPDgAACBCOj3Pcz88AAAgQj49z3M/QAAAgD9CMQzDPEQAAIA/RjEMwzwqAACwQSwAALBBSAAAsEFKAACwQQAQcwBhAG4AIABqAHUAYQB uACAAaQBzAGwAYQBuAGQAcwDHCsAoJ8HNFBAHH7AiAACAPzIAAChCAgAAQEASAACAPxb92f06FACgwUQYAACAPxoAgMBEHDmDfj8eAIDARCA5g34/IgAAwEAk/dl9OyYAAMBAKP3ZfTvsAQAAgD/uAQAAgD80AACAPzYxDMM8OAAAJEI6nud5PzwAACRCPp7neT8qAA BAQCwAAEBALgAAwEAwAADAQEgAAEBASgAAQEBMAADAQE4AAMBAAAA=", "@type": "KeyPhraseExtraction", "@context": "http://schema.microsoft.com", "@EntityId": "493d94c9-664d-4a96-8bc7-70558ef1f118", "@extractionTimeUtc": "2024-09-23T21:09:06.4677179Z" } ]