HomeMy WebLinkAbout102924 - Monday Matters 10_28ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Message from Steve
After 19 years in the cruise industry and 5 years on oil tankers before that, I’ve had my fill of travel. One of the appealing aspects of working at Washington State Ferries is that
our entire system is within driving distance of my home. While many view work travel as a perk, I much prefer staying closer to home. That said, this week I’m attending the Interferry
conference in Morocco.
As a public agency, we are always mindful of how we use taxpayer dollars and the perceptions around travel expenses. However, attending the annual international Interferry conferences
is a strategic investment in the future of our ferry system. These conferences provide invaluable access to global ferry leaders, industry experts, and vendors, allowing us to stay
at the cutting edge of technological advancements and operational improvements that directly benefit service here in Washington.
In my role on the Interferry board, Washington State Ferries plays a pivotal part in shaping the global ferry industry. This gives us direct access to innovators and decision-makers
driving fleet electrification, sustainability, and safety standards. It also ensures that Washington State’s interests are represented while bringing back best practices tailored to
our unique needs.
For example, our electrification plan has greatly benefited from the insights and partnerships formed at these conferences. Learning from ferry systems already adopting electric and
hybrid technologies has provided us with the knowledge and relationships needed to modernize our fleet and reduce environmental impact. These connections also help us accelerate the
adoption of cutting-edge technology, enhancing both service efficiency and reliability.
Spotlight
* During issues out of WSF control, employees standing the watch in the operations center and at multiple terminals worked hard on crewing and vessel availability helping return regular
service to three routes throughout the system Friday.
* After fueling operations had completed on the Kittitas, a tug and fuel barge blocked the vessel due to failed engine start of the tug. The Fauntleroy/Southworth/Vashon “Triangle”
route was on one-boat service for most of Friday morning until that tug and barge could be moved. Terminal staff and the operations center team work to prioritize our customers to
include children traveling to their schools.
* Simultaneously, a car accident caused a power pole to fall blocking the highway with no alternate route. Crews reporting for their morning shifts were unable to get to their vessels
on the Port Townsend/Coupeville and Bainbridge/Seattle routes. The crews eventually made it to their vessels. Customer service did a great job of providing broad awareness to our
customers.
* On Sunday, there was a 40-vehicle accident on southbound I-5 that kept WSF crew from getting to Pt. Defiance route, tying up that vessel for several hours.
* Washington State Ferries partners with law enforcement to include Washington State Patrol and support to their Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit (MUPU). A few months ago, a missing
Indigenous Person report was issued to our employees throughout the fleet and terminals. During the course of normal operations Saturday evening, the Puyallup crew identified a missing
indigenous person and reported, and law enforcement safely took the person into custody.
* Over the weekend, two rescues occurred on the Mukilteo/Clinton route. Crews of the Kitsap worked with local search and rescue teams to pull a woman from the water after she had jumped
from the terminal docks in Mukilteo. Later in the day crews on the same route helped rescue one kayaker and then Sunday responded to reports an empty kayak but after searching the
area found no missing kayaker. Everyone was rescued in stable conditions.
WSF In the News
Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth back to 2-boat service West Seattle Blog https://westseattleblog.com/2024/10/ferry-alert-update-fauntleroy-vashon-southworth-back-to-2-boat-service/ <https://westseattleb
log.com/2024/10/ferry-alert-update-fauntleroy-vashon-southworth-back-to-2-boat-service/>
High schoolers could help WSF worker shortage Kitsap Daily News https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/high-schoolers-could-help-wsf-worker-shortage/ <https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/high-schooler
s-could-help-wsf-worker-shortage/>
Department News
External Relations – For the week of Oct. 21 - 27, our customer service team sent 114 rider alerts, received 1,415 customer calls, and fielded more than 150 written comments and emails
related to reservations, schedules, and fares.
Service Reliability – For the week of Oct. 21-27, we completed 98.5% of our 2,787 scheduled sailings. Of our 44 cancellations, 40.9% (18) were due to crewing, 11.4% (5) were for schedule
resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule that we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers), 6.8% (3) were due to emergencies, 2.3% (1)
for other miscellaneous reasons, and 38.6% (17) were categorized as general cancelled service.
The 38.6% (17) cancellations categorized as “Cancelled Service” were for the Kittitas on the FVS route on 10/25, due to the inability of the connected refueling vessel to get underway.
Vessel Availability – We’re operating at our 15-vessel current service level, adding a 16th “bonus” boat seven days a week on the Fauntleroy/Southworth/Vashon “Triangle” route when crewing
and vessel availability allows.
Jumbo Mark II Conversions/New Vessels/Terminal Electrification
Hybrid Conversions – Upgrades to the Wenatchee propulsion system and installation of electric power equipment is expected to be completed and with the vessel expected to 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. The Tacoma conversion will not happen until the Wenatchee
returns to service.
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’ve received three
pre-qualification packages from shipyards across the country. We are still scheduled to deliver two boats in 2028.
Terminal Electrification – WSF is in the process of planning and designing charging infrastructure at 16 of our ferry terminals. This effort begins with ensuring that each terminal will
be able to secure sufficient energy through collaboration with local utilities.
WSF Community Engagement and Government Relations
* Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Fauntleroy terminal replacement Community Advisory Group meeting