Weekly report from Washington State Ferries

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

Service restoration update

Human Resource Manager Sarah Smith talks to new hires at new employee orientation this week. The large group includes 18 deckhand students and 14 terminal students.

With elevated cases of COVID-19, and continued vessel and crewing availability constraints, movement in our Service Restoration Plan has slowed considerably. These variables are even affecting our ability to operate some sailings on routes with restored service (Stage 4), which includes Anacortes/San Juan Islands, Seattle/Bainbridge and Mukilteo/Clinton. Therefore, there are no significant changes in this week’s Progress Report. Most of our other runs remain on alternate service (Stage 2). We add a second boat on our Edmonds/Kingston route daily as crewing allows.

Tacoma crew rescues person in water at Colman Dock

Our highly trained crew aboard Tacoma helped rescue a person in the water at our Seattle terminal last week. Just after sunset on Wednesday, June 1, our crewmembers assisted personnel from the Seattle Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard in saving a person in distress that was reported to be under Colman Dock. I’m always so proud of our highly trained vessel crews for stepping up when needed most!

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

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

New Mukilteo terminal wins 4 more awards

Twenty-five awards and counting! Our new Mukilteo terminal, which opened in December 2020, continues to receive recognition for innovations in design, engineering and construction. On May 19, the project’s contractors earned three 2022 Build Washington Awards from the Associated General Contractors of Washington. Just a few days later on May 24, the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) presented us and KPFF Consulting Engineers with an Engineering Excellence Honor Award, noting innovations in the seismic system developed at the University of Washington and for constructing the terminal to account for projected sea-level rise. Congratulations to everyone involved with the project!

KPFF Consulting Engineers Design Team Project Manager Andy Bennett (center left) and WSDOT Assistant Secretary of Urban Mobility and Access Julie Meredith (center right) accept the ACEC Engineering Excellence Honor Award in Washington, D.C. Thanks Julie for accepting the award on our behalf!

Virtual public meetings next week, June 14 & 15

We’re just days away from our virtual public meetings! To participate, register online in advance for either the 1 p.m. Zoom meeting on Tuesday, June 14, or the 6 p.m. Zoom meeting on Wednesday, June 15. Both meetings will cover the same material, which includes a brief presentation on upcoming summer service, hiring challenges and our process to restore service to pre-pandemic levels. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments during the meeting. If you are unable to join, a video of each meeting will be posted on our community participation webpage by Friday, June 17.

Lane closure at Colman’s Yesler Way exit next week, June 13-15

Plan for possible delays next week if you use the Yesler Way vehicle exit at our Seattle terminal! While two-lane offloading of vessels will continue, the exit will be reduced to a single lane at 6 a.m. Monday, June 13, for paving work. The around-the-clock closure is scheduled to go through 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 15. This work is weather dependent and may be postponed if it rains.

Seattle terminal building nearing completion

And speaking of Colman Dock, crews are putting the finishing shine on the inside of the new Seattle terminal building. Construction began in 2017, and one-third of the building opened in 2019. When the entire building opens this summer, there will be more room to spread out and more seating, along with gorgeous views of Elliott Bay. Watch a video preview of the improved safety features and amenities for passengers. The new entry building along Alaskan Way and the elevated walkway connecting it to the terminal building are scheduled to open in 2023.

Online open house for Fauntleroy terminal replacement project

Time is running out to visit the online open house for our Fauntleroy terminal project! Through Monday, June 13, you can share comments and learn more about our recent planning progress and what replacement alternatives we’re considering. Last month, we held two virtual community meetings on the project. Video recordings of the community meetings are on the project webpage. Project-related questions and comments are always welcome via email.

The Great Ferry Race on Seattle/Bainbridge route, June 12

Heads up if your ferry travels take you to Bainbridge Island on Sunday, June 12! Hundreds of people participating in The Great Ferry Race will be on our 7:55 a.m. Seattle to Bainbridge sailing. Upon arrival, they will begin a half marathon around the island that may cause traffic delays. The event is scheduled to end at 1 p.m.