HomeMy WebLinkAbout042125 email - WSF Monday Matters (April 21)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
WSF Monday Matters
In honor of Earth Day, WSF is flying a ‘Green Marine Certified’ flag across our fleet continuing our commitment to protecting the Salish Sea and the communities we serve. Green Marine
is the premier environmental certification program for the North American maritime industry. WSF has been a member since 2018 and certified since 2020.
Customer Service
For the week of April 14 - 20 – As the busy summer sailing season approaches, our customer service team has been working hard to keep customers informed, responding to a growing number
of calls and emails. Last week, the team sent 104 rider alerts, received 3,741 customer calls, and fielded more than 250 written comments and emails related to reservations, schedules,
and fares.
Service Reliability
For the week of Apr. 14 – Apr. 20 – we completed 99.53% of our 2,763 scheduled sailings. Of 14 cancellations, 57% (8) were due to schedule resets, 36% (5) were due to crewing, and 7%
(1) were due to other miscellaneous reasons.
WSF Weekly Media Highlights
County launches pilot project to provide marine transportation services The Orcasonian
https://theorcasonian.com/county-launches-pilot-project-to-provide-marine-transportation-services/ <https://theorcasonian.com/county-launches-pilot-project-to-provide-marine-transportation-services/>
Electric Ferries Will be a Heavy Lift for Steamship Authority Vineyard Gazette
https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/04/17/electric-ferries-will-be-heavy-lift-steamship-authority <https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2025/04/17/electric-ferries-will-be-heavy-lift-steamship-authorit
y>
State Budget Cuts Could Slash Puget Sound’s Passenger Ferry Service The Urbanist
https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/21/state-could-slash-puget-sound-passenger-ferry-service/ <https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/21/state-could-slash-puget-sound-passenger-ferry-service/>
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 –Upgrades to the Wenatchee propulsion system and installation of electric power equipment is moving toward a summer return to service. There is still work to inspect
and commission the vessel’s systems at the shipyard before WSF takes possession of the vessel. After WSF takes possession, weeks of work will begin to train the crew, ready the vessel
for service, and obtain US Coast Guard re-certification.
New Vessels – The contracting process for new hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries continues. The engineers’ estimate, a cost assessment created by independent experts on contract to WSF,
is complete. The engineers’ estimate will be compared to contractor bids to inform funding and contracting decisions. Bids are scheduled to be opened on May 12th.
Terminal Electrification – Vessel charging system proposals are under review with award expected this month. The Bainbridge Island Terminal Electrification Project will drill into the
ground to collect soil samples in the SR305 corridor from April 21 to May 1. Results will inform the project design, which includes a conduit along SR305 necessary to make power available
at the terminal to charge hybrid-electric ferries. The project is in phase 2 design with a plan to advertise for construction contractors in July 2026.