HomeMy WebLinkAbout031025 - Washington State Ferries Monday Matters (March 10)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Monday Matters
Last week, Gov. Ferguson announced his plan to restore Washington State Ferries to pre-pandemic domestic service by this summer. As part of his plan, he will delay the hybrid-electric
conversion for two ferries.
The governor also announced that he is restructuring our organization to elevate the Assistant Secretary of Washington State Ferries position to a new Deputy Secretary role.
Deputy Secretary Mike Gribner will continue to lead Finance and Administrative Services, Mega programs and Urban Mobility and Access, Regions and Multimodal Development and Delivery.
Deputy Secretary Steve Nevey will lead all WSF operations. He will also attend the Governor’s Executive Cabinet meetings to increase coordination and communication between WSF and the
Governor’s Office. Both positions will report directly to me.
Deputy Secretary Steve Nevey has shown great leadership at our agency and I’m proud to have a mariner with private sector experience leading WSF.
Additional information on both the governor’s plan to restore ferries to full service and the restructuring of our organization are available in Gov. Ferguson’s press release <https://links-1.govdeli
very.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgovernor.wa.gov%2Fnews%2F2025%2Fmaking-things-happen-ferries-governor-ferguson-announces-plan-restore-washington-state-ferries-full/1/0100019581c17f72-cc521372-553f-41a7-a276
-803103542069-000000/8eyduscutn8GRfAfZtCn6oLS1VHKyEU5QS-U2Lcfdmg=395> .
Julie Meredith, PE
Secretary of Transportation
Washington State Department of Transportation
Customer Service
For the week of March 3-9 - Our customer service team sent 76 rider alerts, received 1,415 customer calls, and fielded more than 170 written comments and emails related to reservations,
schedules and fares.
Service Reliability
For the week of March 3-9 - We completed 98.24% of our 2,728 scheduled sailings. Of the 48 cancellations, 42% (20) were due to vessel-related issues, 33% (16) were due to tidal currents,
13% (6) were due to weather, and 13% (6) were due to schedule resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability
for customers). There were no cancellations due to crewing.
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.
Hybrid Conversions/New Vessels/Terminal Electrification
Hybrid Conversions – The Wenatchee is dry docked for required underwater hull inspections and cleaning. 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.
New Vessels – The contracting process for new hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries continues. We received three pre-qualification packages from shipyards across the country and recently
released design drawings and other information required to prepare bids. Bid opening is scheduled for April 7.
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. Community engagement and predesign work is underway for the first four terminals that will be equipped
with vessel charging.
<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CI1/0100019581c17f72-cc521372-553f-41a7-a276-803103542069-000000/TF6xKCzg-vXtb1LUyh26WyxEjxHtSm1Jhbmmi44dKso=395>