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


Community engagement

Public engagement is crucial to the decision making we do at Washington State Ferries. Each year we host two rounds of systemwide community meetings to hear from those we serve.

In 2020 we changed our in-person meetings to virtual and have continued to do so out of convenience and accessibility for all of our attendees. Thank you to all who participated in our outreach last year and we hope to see you in 2023.

Community Meeting Screenshot

Members of our Executive Team and I answer questions from participants during a virtual public meeting this summer.

Kitsap POW Flag 2022

On Veterans Day we flew flags from all military branches on our vessels throughout the fleet. Kitsap (pictured) flew the U.S. Army flag, alongside the POW/MIA flag, which flew on all operating vessels.

Mariners Good Vibes only Capt. Wood

In recognition of the Mariners ending their over 20-year postseason drought we held a media event on board the Tacoma, temporarily renaming the vessel the “Good Vibes Only” and naming announcer Aaron Goldsmith “Honorary Captain.” The Mariner Moose also made an appearance and took photos with our crew, including Capt. Harlow Wood (pictured).

I was glad to see more in-person events take place in 2022 as COVID-19 cases decreased, the mask mandates were removed and our ridership increased. Working with community organizations like local professional sports teams, the Youth Maritime Collaborative and visiting transportation professionals, we held tours, flew flags and had some fun for our riders.

Kraken Flag

All ferries serving Colman Dock flew Seattle Kraken flags on Wednesday, March 2, in honor of the first ever Kraken Day.

Salish Wedding 2022

A sailing aboard Salish Saturday was extra special for bride Victoria and groom Chuck Shafer aboard the upper deck of Salish.

Ferry Tale proposal

Joshua Treadway proposes to his girlfriend Sarah on the sun deck of Salish.

Wedding on Wenatchee

This summer the Wenatchee hosted the wedding of Lara and Matt Wilder. Congratulations to the newlyweds on your “Ferry Tale” wedding!

Puyallup Proposal

Simrun Chhabra proposes to partner Savanna Steele in the Puyallup passenger cabin. Photo courtesy Hannah Sabio-Howell.

Gingerbread Cookie Ferry

@wsdot Instagram follower has some ferry good gingerbread decorating skills! Check out this photo of their holiday interpretation of a San Juan Islands vessel!

Snow Mukilteo shovel terminal worker

Mukilteo Terminal Ticket Seller Briana Penafiel clears snow during a storm in December.


Service awards

Many of our employees celebrated incredible milestones in their careers here at WSF. Congratulations to our hard-working staff, especially those who celebrated anniversaries of 20 years and above! What amazing dedication to public service.

Mukilteo Service Awards 2022

The Mukilteo recognition event included two 30-year employees, Ticket Seller Maria Mezich (fourth from left) and Relief Terminal Supervisor Irene Dodge (right).

50 year service award

Congratulations to Staff Chief Engineer Mike Bryne with a very rare 50-year service award at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility!

John Bernhard Service Award

With Senior Budget & Program Development Manager John Bernhard after presenting him with a ship’s wheel as recognition for 45 years of service.

Phil Olwell Service Award

We presented a 40-year service award to Relief Terminal Supervisor Phil Olwell. Phil has worked at our terminals since he started with us and has been a supervisor since 1998.

Mary Hobson

Ticket Seller Mary Hobson was presented with a ship’s bell and certificate for her 40 years of service.

Captain Hazard Book Service Award

Captain Hazard Book receives a service award for 40 years!


2022 Life Ring Awards

Tacoma rescue at Colman Dock

Tacoma crewmembers in a rescue boat that was immediately deployed after we received a report of a person in the water.

Safety is our number one priority while traveling across the Salish Sea. In 2022 our crews performed a number of lifesaving efforts including recusing people out of the water, performing CPR and prioritizing emergency services to help get people to medical care.

Each year we award the WSF Life Ring Award to either individuals or an entire ship’s crew who was clearly the difference in saving a person’s life.

Tacoma rescue at Colman Dock with Seattle Fire Department

Rescue crews save a person in the water off Seattle’s Colman Dock.

Tillikum rescue credit to Mark Mason

A rescue boat is launched off of Tillikum this summer as the crew works to save people onboard a sinking boat. Thanks to Mark Mason for the photo!

There were 10 Life Ring Award events this year and 67 total lifesaving efforts in 2022. I am so impressed with our crews who go above and beyond to keep our passengers and neighbors on the sound safe. Great job to all involved!

Rescue on the Kitsap near Clinton Terminal

Quartermaster Dave Farmer used a Kitsap rescue boat to take a USDA Wildlife Services agent to free a seagull caught in a wire atop a dolphin at Slip 1 at Clinton terminal.


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