HomeMy WebLinkAbout032425 - WSF Monday Matters (March 24)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Highlights
Our crewing levels have increased and we’re routinely completing more than 99% of our scheduled sailings. As we finalize plans for additional summer service, we are also focused on
building new vessels. Constructing new boats is both key to future service reliability and a complicated process.
Our system electrification team, now ably directed by David Sowers, who has decades of experience leading major projects, has worked hard to keep three shipyards, all pre-qualified,
engaged in the bidding process. This will ensure building the best boats and competition to ensure the best use of taxpayer dollars. The opening of bids from the three yards had been
planned for Monday, April 7, however this week the three companies individually asked for a month’s extension in submitting their bids. To keep all three yards engaged, we have agreed
to extend the bid opening until Monday, May 12. The delay is not based on the boats being hybrid/electric, but rather the time it takes them to review more than 800 pages of technical
specifications in the vessel’s design.
While disappointing, especially as the bid openings will now happen after the end of the legislative session, this is the best course of action for receiving responsive bids from all
three shipyards. We now expect to sign a contract with at least one of the lowest bidders by the end of June. This keeps us on track for the first new vessel to enter service in 2029.
When we’ll get new vessels is one of the most often asked questions we hear from fleet colleagues. Please know we’re doing all we can to get these boats constructed and added to the
fleet as soon as possible.
Customer Service
For the week of Mar 17 – Mar. 23 - our customer service team sent 96 rider alerts, received 1,470 customer calls, and fielded more than 160 written comments and emails related to reservations,
schedules, and fares.
Service Reliability
For the week of Mar. 17 – Mar. 23 – We completed 99.78% of our 2,732 scheduled sailings. Of the 9 cancellations, 67% (6) were due to vessel-related issues, 11% (1) was due to a schedule
reset (when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers), 11% (1) was due to an emergency, and 11% (1) was
due to other miscellaneous reasons.
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 May 12.
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.