HomeMy WebLinkAbout051925 email - WSF Monday Matters (May 19)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
It’s been a big week for Washington State Ferries and Memorial Day weekend will likely be no different.
Yesterday was International Day for Women in Maritime <https://www.imo.org/en/About/Events/Pages/International-Day-for-Women-in-Maritime-2025.aspx> , a day to recognize and honor the
women who power our ferry system and the broader maritime industry.
Women are essential to our operations – aboard vessels, in terminals, and at our warehouse, maintenance facility and headquarters. Yet they make up only 22% of our workforce. We need
to do more. Creating more opportunities for women strengthens our organization. We are proud to be home to many remarkable women who lead, innovate, and inspire. Let’s keep moving
forward, not just on days of recognition, but every day.
Walla Walla Rescue
We start this week by thanking the crew of the Walla Walla who rescued a person in distress after falling from their kayak yesterday.
The Walla Walla was sailing through Rich Passage when reports of a person in the water started coming in. The crew’s swift action to launch the rescue boat and pull the struggling survivor
into the boat likely saved a life yesterday. After some basic medical evaluation by the crew, they returned the person safely to shore.
We’ll be posting a video on social media later today.
Memorial Day weekend ridership
The holiday rush will ramp up on Thursday, May 22, which coincides with National Maritime Day <https://www.maritime.dot.gov/education/national-maritime-day/national-maritime-day> this
year. WSF is the largest employer of mariners in the region, supporting thousands of skilled maritime professionals who keep the system running every day. More than 300,000 people are
expected aboard the 2,000+ sailings over the five-day period ending Monday, May 26.
Customer Service
For the week of May 13 -18 – our customer service team sent 129 rider alerts, received 2,561 customer calls, and fielded more than 220 written comments and emails related to reservations,
schedules, and fares.
Service Reliability
For the week of May 13 – 18 – we completed 99.46% of our 2,769 scheduled sailings. Of the 15 cancellations, 53% (8) were due to tidal currents, 20% (3) 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), 13% (2) were due crewing, and 13% (2) were due to weather.
WSF Weekly Media Highlights
Memorial Day weekend travel: WSDOT urges early planning for busy highways and ferry routes KHQ
https://www.khq.com/news/memorial-day-weekend-travel-wsdot-urges-early-planning-for-busy-highways-and-ferry-routes/article_198e3f47-4a2d-4ccc-8d4e-798428b4dd1d.html <https://www.khq.com/news/memorial
-day-weekend-travel-wsdot-urges-early-planning-for-busy-highways-and-ferry-routes/article_198e3f47-4a2d-4ccc-8d4e-798428b4dd1d.html>
Nichols Brothers and Eastern submit bids for Washington State Ferries’ hybrid-electric newbuilds WorkBoat
https://www.workboat.com/nichols-brothers-and-eastern-submit-bids-for-washington-state-ferries-hybrid-electric-newbuilds <https://www.workboat.com/nichols-brothers-and-eastern-submit-bids-for-washing
ton-state-ferries-hybrid-electric-newbuilds>
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 reached a milestone. The engineers’ estimate will be compared to contractor bids to inform funding and
contracting decisions. The bids will be evaluated using each shipyard’s combined price for two ferries.
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.
WSF Community Engagement and Government Relations
Washington State Ferries will host two virtual community meetings this week to provide updates and answer questions as service begins to expand this summer. The topics will also include
an updated service plan and progress on building new ferries.
Participants need to register for the online meetings scheduled for noon Wednesday, May 21, and 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22. <https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/community-parti
cipation>
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