||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD |||
Missed doctor appointments. Hours-long delays. Students unable to get to school. These are just a few of the issues fueling a bill to expand passenger-only ferries in Washington.
Since 2020, businesses and local communities on Vashon Island struggled with the ongoing ferry crisis, said Amy Dreyer, director of Islanders Ferry Action and a member of the Vashon Island Chamber.
“I live on Vashon, so the ferries are our lifeline,” Dreyer said. “We don’t have a bridge. We can’t drive around. If the boats are down, that means ambulances can’t get off the island. It means people can’t get off the island for medical appointments. It means people can’t bring goods to the island.”
In 2024, island communities worked with the Legislature and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to form the Fix Our Ferries Coalition, which advocates for funding more boats, addressing staffing shortages, and increasing accountability and transparency within Washington State Ferries (WSF).
One of the legislators involved with the coalition is Rep. Greg Nance, D-Bainbridge Island, who introduced The Mosquito Fleet Act (HB 1923), which expands passenger-only ferries in Washington.
The bill is inspired by the Mosquito Fleet, a group of privately owned passenger steamboats that connected Puget Sound communities in the late 1800s.
During the 2025 legislative session, Nance met with community members across San Juan Island, Bremerton, Kingston, Poulsbo and Vashon Island to hear firsthand the challenges island residents face.
“We’ve got to do better for our neighbors who are counting on ferries,” Nance said.
If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, delivering $50 million in funding to put additional boats on the waters of Puget Sound by the end of 2025.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
I asked an AI application to summarize the implications for San Juan County.
The Mosquito Fleet Act (HB 1923) could have potential implications for San Juan County, WA, but its direct impact depends on several factors, including eligibility for funding, local interest in expanding ferry services, and competition with other regions.
Possible Implications for San Juan County:
1. Access to Grant Funding
• The bill establishes a $50 million competitive grant program to support passenger-only ferry services. If San Juan County or a local entity (e.g., the Port of Friday Harbor or a regional transit agency) applies and qualifies, it could receive funding for:
• Acquiring passenger-only ferries
• Establishing or expanding existing ferry routes
• Conducting feasibility studies to evaluate new services
• However, competition for these grants will likely be fierce, with urban areas like Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett also vying for funds.
2. Potential for Interisland Passenger-Only Services
• Washington State Ferries (WSF) currently does not operate passenger-only ferries in the San Juan Islands, but a privately operated service could emerge if an eligible entity secures funding.
• San Juan County previously received emergency funding for passenger-only water taxis during ferry disruptions—this bill could offer a more permanent funding stream for such services.
3. New Ferry Routes to the Mainland
• While WSF currently provides ferry service between Anacortes and the San Juan Islands, passenger-only routes from the islands to locations like Bellingham or Everett could become feasible.
• Such a service could reduce reliance on vehicle ferries and offer faster, more frequent travel options for commuters and visitors.
4. Limited Eligibility for New Tax Revenues
• The bill allows authorized entities to impose a sales tax (up to 0.3%) or a commercial parking tax to fund ferry services.
• San Juan County’s small population and limited commercial tax base may make these funding mechanisms less viable compared to urban counties.
Challenges for San Juan County:
• Competition for funding: Many urban areas in Puget Sound, such as King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, have larger populations and more political influence in securing grants.
• Lack of an existing passenger ferry operator: Unlike Kitsap Transit (which runs a successful passenger ferry system), San Juan County lacks a transit agency currently running ferries. The county or another entity would need to set up operations from scratch.
• Limited local funding options: Without a significant commercial tax base, funding ongoing ferry operations could be difficult without heavy reliance on state grants.
What San Juan County Should Consider:
• Applying for feasibility study grants to explore new or expanded passenger ferry services.
• Partnering with regional entities (e.g., the Port of Friday Harbor, private ferry operators) to leverage funding opportunities.
• Advocating for prioritization in rural ferry service grants, highlighting the county’s dependence on ferries as its only year-round transportation link to the mainland.
Bottom Line:
While HB 1923 does not explicitly allocate funds to San Juan County, it creates new funding opportunities that the county could pursue if local officials, transit authorities, or private operators see value in expanding passenger-only ferry options. However, the county will face stiff competition from more urban areas, and a proactive strategy will be needed to secure any benefits.