Weekly update from WSF | Cathlamet, service restoration, and another rescue (on SJ route)

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

Update on Cathlamet incident at Fauntleroy terminal

Damage to ferry Cathlamet as seen while docked at Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility

The U.S. Coast Guard, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board, is leading an investigation into why Cathlamet struck the outside of an offshore piling at Fauntleroy terminal last week. We are also conducting our own formal investigation. Both will take some time. As those investigations begin, the captain on duty has resigned and drug and alcohol tests of the crew onboard at the time have come back clear.

Cathlamet is at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility undergoing further inspection as we prepare for several months of repairs, which are estimated at $10 million.

In addition to repairing Cathlamet, in the weeks ahead, our terminal maintenance crews will remove all the damaged areas of the offshore piling. They will also do temporary repairs to the damaged piling as replacement parts are fabricated for a permanent fix.

I’ve said it many times, safety is our number one priority. We are relieved that no one was seriously hurt in this incident. We appreciate the work of local first responders who helped with the response and aftermath. Also, a special thank you to our transit partners at King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Transit for offering special services while our Fauntleroy terminal was out of commission. We will continue to work closely with our federal partners to determine exactly what happened and to prevent it from occurring again.

Service restoration update

Nine new hires pose for a photo with instructors Capt. Scott Schrader and Quartermaster Bob Anderson after completing new deck employee orientation on Tuesday.

We were fortunate to have a relief boat available to replace Cathlamet after last week’s incident at Fauntleroy. However, any time we lose a ferry unexpectedly, it puts a strain on our vessel availability. We do not know how this incident will affect service across our system in the months ahead.

As far as crewing, this week’s Service Restoration Plan (PDF 794KB) Progress Report (PDF 604KB) shows that we are still maintaining service reliability of 95% or more on our three restored routes. COVID-19 cases among our crews remain elevated, but we have still been able to add a second vessel on our Edmonds/Kingston run more than half the time and will continue to do so daily as crewing allows. However, we are not yet able to begin trialing full service reliably on the route without putting runs with restored service in jeopardy.

Delegates from Sri Lanka Navy tour Kaleetan

We hosted delegates from the Sri Lankan Navy last week aboard Kaleetan so they could see firsthand our vessel security operations during a roundtrip sailing between Seattle and Bainbridge Island. The group was appreciative and said the experience really helped with their International Ship and Port Facility Security Code implementation efforts in Sri Lanka. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard and Montana National Guard also joined them on the tour.

Thank you, Capt. Jorge Pinzon and crew for welcoming everyone!

Tillikum crew rescues 2 people from sinking boat on San Juan run

Our Tillikum San Juan Interisland crewmembers quickly sprang into action Saturday when a boat ran aground and started sinking in Wasp Passage. They launched a rescue boat and saved two people from the vessel. Thank you to all our crews for your hard work and training to be prepared for all types of emergencies on the water!

A look at what Bainbridge walkway will look like and the added spaced (and views!) for passengers who use it.

Heads up if you use our Bainbridge terminal! On Monday, Aug. 8, through Tuesday, Aug. 16, nearly all sailings will use Slip 2 instead of the usual Slip 1 closer to the terminal. This shift is needed work on the overhead walkway replacement project. For people boarding or departing a ferry in a motor vehicle or bicycle, there will also be several changes to the holding and exit lanes during this time. Please follow all signs and directions from terminal staff.

SR 305 Bainbridge Island roadwork

If you use State Route 305 to access our Bainbridge terminal, plan for possible travel delays starting next week. Crews are scheduled to begin work on the highway Monday, Aug. 8, as part of a fish barrier removal project near Sportsmen Club Road and Manitou Beach Road. This is a couple miles north of our terminal. The speed limit will be temporarily reduced to 35 mph through the work zone. There will be occasional one-way alternating traffic at night only. Work will continue through fall 2023.

Customer kudos
“This is just a thank you note for the splendid efforts WSF mounted in getting my run (Vashon-Fauntleroy) back up so fast! I’ve been around long enough to remember what the Issaquah did to the schedule when it rammed the Fauntleroy dock in the early 1980s, forcing the run to go to the main terminal for six months. While you can’t compare [this recent incident] in terms of severity, WSF personnel did a truly spectacular job […] getting us another boat and getting the route back up! I know there are lots of people who have been and will be working like crazy on this, and I just want you to know how much I appreciate your efforts! Thank YOU!

-Fauntleroy/Vashon customer