HomeMy WebLinkAbout061625 email - WSF Monday Matters (June 16_ 2025)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
Walla Walla crew rescues two people off Manchester
Rescuing two people from cold waters near Blake Island Friday evening took fast action, strong coordination, and expert training from our Walla Walla crew. From the moment the U.S. Coast
Guard's call came in, they worked together to quickly launch a rescue boat, prepare medical supplies and coordinate care with skilled passengers on board. The second mate on duty that
night shared the following detailed account of how training, teamwork and preparedness came together to save lives:
It is with great relief and professional pride that I am pleased to submit the following report on the rescue of two young canoeists from Yukon Harbor west of Blake Island Friday night.
On our second westbound trip toward Bremerton around 8:30 the Walla Walla was relayed a radio request by U.S. Coast Guard to assist people in the water from an overturned canoe. The
captain and chief mate alerted the crew that we would be altering our passage to get to the scene and probably launching a rescue boat. Our crew readied a rescue boat and mobilized
AED, oxygen, warm jackets, thermal protective aids, blankets and a trauma kit. Passengers with medical experience identified themselves and appeared on scene and we readied a plan to
treat the victims for hypothermia while we steamed toward their estimated position. When victims were spotted and the Walla Walla was brought to a stop, we launched our coxswain and
lookout to search and rescue. I briefed them on approximate position of the swimmers relative to us. I also briefed them to ask the canoeists and be certain we were picking up all victims,
that everyone was accounted for. Our oilers assisted the rescue boat launch and also brought the cabin heat up by firing up the boilers to warm up the cabin. Two ordinary sailors and
an able-bodied sailor prepared the rescue boat for launch and prepared the medical back room of the second mate’s office for treating the victims. I briefed the medical volunteers
about our hypothermia treatment plan.
The young men were swiftly and skillfully plucked from the cold water and wrapped up in emergency blankets and firefighting jackets brought out to them in the rescue boat.
Once aboard, the young men were treated for hypothermia by bundling up in firefighting pants and jacket and placed hot packs inside next to them to try and get their core temperatures
up. They continued shivering uncontrollably from the time they were pulled aboard until the time emergency medical services took them ashore at Bremerton although they were lucid, responsive,
and grateful, although a little embarrassed. I would like to recognize and thank two passenger helpers for providing hot chocolate and snacks from the galley to assist the young men’s
recovery. I would like to thank and recognize the outstanding assistance offered by passenger volunteers that included five physicians, a nurse practitioner, a nurse, and therapists
aboard in treating the patients’ hypothermia.
Because of good planning, good equipment, teamwork, training, drilling, communication and practice in rescue and emergency response (our third this season), our shipmates are able to
respond with calm confidence. We are fortunate for this good outcome and great results come about not only by luck but by the aforementioned work. I am going to suggest to our safety
committee that it be brought up for discussion the possibility of a shipboard rescue duffel containing wool blankets or other types of blankets and other practical hypothermia treatment
tools that might be available in future rescues.
Completed Sailings
For the week of June 9 – June15 – we completed 97.63% of our 2,784 scheduled sailings. Of the 67 cancellations, 39% (26) 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), 25% (17) were due to crewing, 15% (10) were due to tidal currents, 15% (10) were due to other
miscellaneous reasons, and 6% (4) were due to terminal-related issues.
Customer Service Alerts
For the week of June 9 – June 15 – our customer service team sent 190 rider alerts, received 3,159 customer calls, and fielded more than 200 written comments and emails related to reservations,
schedules, and fares.
WSF Weekly Media Highlights
New apprenticeship program boosts Washington State Ferries workforce <https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/new-apprenticeship-program-boosts-washington-state-ferries-workforce/>
. Seattle Times (pdf included)
Father’s Day debuts the 1st of 3 additional ferry boats and sailing schedules for summer KOMO News
https://komonews.com/news/local/fathers-day-starts-the-1st-of-3-additional-ferry-boats-sailings-for-summer-bremerton-bainbridge-vashon-island-seattle-travel-transit-summer-vacation-commute-visit-puge
t-sound <https://komonews.com/news/local/fathers-day-starts-the-1st-of-3-additional-ferry-boats-sailings-for-summer-bremerton-bainbridge-vashon-island-seattle-travel-transit-summer-vacation-commute-v
isit-puget-sound>
Vessel Availability
We have taken our first steps toward an 18-vessel service, allowing us to return to almost full domestic service – three years earlier than originally planned. We will bring back the
following service:
* The Seattle/Bremerton route returned to its two-boat schedule starting Sunday, June 15.
* The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth “Triangle” route will resume its pre-pandemic three-boat schedule beginning Monday, June 30.
* A second vessel will operate on the Port Townsend/Coupeville run every Friday through Monday from July 4 through the end of the route’s shoulder season on Oct. 13.
We’re also started a NEW summer sailing schedule on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route on Sunday, June 15.
The reality of adding service: We’ll need to crew three more daily boats for this added service. While we've done a lot of hiring and career development in recent years, we will have
fewer available relief crew members. This could mean more cancellations due to a shortage of crew.
Hybrid Conversions/New Vessels/Terminal Electrification
Hybrid Conversions –WSF has taken possession of the Wenatchee and has moved the ferry from Vigor’s shipyard in Seattle to Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island. Work continues to ready the
vessel for service, train the crew, and obtain US Coast Guard re-certification.
New Vessels – Bids for new hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries were received and are being reviewed and analyzed.
Terminal Electrification – Vessel charging system proposals have been reviewed and an award announcement is expected soon. The Bainbridge Island Terminal Electrification Project and
Seattle Terminal Electrification Project will conduct in-water exploration in June. Results will inform project designs.