Big news from WSF, just not about the San Juans

||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

Completed Seattle terminal building opens Nov. 18

After five years of construction, we’re rolling out the welcome mat tomorrow at our new flagship terminal building on the Seattle waterfront. Built in stages as the old terminal was torn down, the first one-third of the new building opened in September 2019. When the rest of it opens tomorrow, there will be much more space than the past three years – 20,000 square feet – roughly the same size as the old structure. In addition to striking views, the finished terminal building will provide a lot more seating, twice as many turnstiles, additional restrooms, spaces for future food/retail vendors, improved passenger circulation and queuing, as well as a safer facility that meets current seismic standards.

Inside the section of terminal building opening tomorrow, showing a large facility with natural light, comfy seating and views to Elliott Bay and the city.

This opening is a big milestone ahead of the scheduled completion of our Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock Project in 2023, when the entry building along Alaskan Way and the elevated pedestrian connector open. Throughout construction of this project, we have maintained operations on two of our busiest routes. Check out our project photos and images, as well as a video of the new space. I’m so proud of this multi-year effort and there’s still more on the way!

Colman Dock prior to terminal building construction, showing the old facility perpendicular to shore.

Aerial view this week showing the nearly completed new terminal building parallel to shore.

Service restoration update

Our latest Service Restoration Plan (PDF 794KB) Progress Report (PDF 631KB) shows that we’re now on track to confidently restore full service on our Edmonds/Kingston route early next year. Around the same time, we expect to begin trialing a full, three-boat schedule on our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run. The timing of full restoration on our Seattle/Bremerton and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes is dependent on the number of new mates who complete training in April 2023. We do not anticipate being able to restore Sidney, British Columbia service any sooner than summer 2023.

Sixteen new deck employees pose for a photo with their trainers after completing orientation and training at Seattle Maritime Academy on Nov. 2.

Fourteen new terminal employees pose for a photo at Mukilteo terminal after completing orientation and training. They started working at our facilities on Nov. 8.

Encouraging employees to get their mates’ credential

While it remains important to continue hiring new crewmembers as we look to the future, our biggest short-term constraint continues to be a lack of licensed deck officers (captains and mates), who require significant training time. Earlier this year, we created two new programs that encourage our current employees to take the necessary courses and exams to obtain a mates’ credential. Over the next 18 months, we expect more than 40 to complete all the training and credentials necessary to work as mates, which is great for future system stability. We’re seeking to make these programs permanent.

Twelve of our able-bodied sailors recently completed mate training at our local Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, or MITAGS. Here they are posing for a photo with instructors and WSF Executive Team members

Twelve of our able-bodied sailors recently completed mate training at our local Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, or MITAGS. Here they are posing for a photo with instructors and WSF Executive Team members.

Thanksgiving weekend ferry travel

If you’re planning to catch a ferry over Thanksgiving weekend, I encourage you to regularly check online sailing schedules, as some timetables are dependent on crewing levels. Customers are encouraged to sign up for rider alerts to receive an update each night and morning on what schedule is operating on each route. The alerts also provide updates if staff shortages lead to unexpected service reductions.

Long waits are possible for people driving a vehicle onto a vessel, especially westbound (or onto an island) Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 23-24, then eastbound (or off island) Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, there will be a few schedule changes on some routes. Holiday sailings are marked on the schedules for each route. Special thanks to my colleagues working over the holiday weekend for your dedication and commitment to connect people and communities during this special time.

Transition to QR codes on all forms of ticketing

We started a transition to the use of QR codes on all our forms of ticketing this week. But don’t worry, we’re still accepting tickets with traditional bar codes. However, any new tickets issued on or after Tuesday, Nov. 15, now include a QR code, which are more reliable, can be presented in any direction or angle, process faster and display better on mobile devices.

Vessel tour for diverse middle schoolers

For the second time this year, we hosted seven BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color) youth aboard one of our ferries earlier this month. The middle schoolers, part of the Sea Potential program that helps attract diverse students to maritime jobs, toured the wheelhouse and engine room of Walla Walla. Thank you to our Diversity Advisory Group Executive Sponsor John Vezina and Relief Chief Mate Brett Wheeler for taking time on your day off to share future job opportunities at WSF to a new and diverse generation!

Comment on possible ferry fuel surcharge 

The Washington State Transportation Commission wants to know what you think about the possibility of a fuel surcharge on ferry fares to help cover the increasing cost of gas. This surcharge has been a possible funding tool available to the state since 2011 in the event fuel budgets fall short. The commission, which sets our fares, is hosting an online survey through Wednesday, Nov. 30. All input will help commission members in discussions on future ferry fuel funding needs during the upcoming 2023 Legislative session.

“Appreciate so much you searching my backpack & finding my name in my planner so you could search for me on Linkedln and call me with the great news that someone turned in my backpack and you were holding it in [your] office for me. […] Thank you [Terminal Supervisor Vale Dahl] for going above and beyond to find me and get my backpack back to me. I’m so grateful for you and appreciate your willing spirit to help out a stranger and restore faith in our neighbors.”

Seattle/Bainbridge customer

Next Weekly Update will be Thursday, Dec. 1

There will be no Weekly Update on Thursday, Nov. 24. I wish everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving Day!