WSF Update | Closures, training, recruiting, rescue, tides, Kraken flags

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

Ordinary sailor training

I completed our Deck New Employee Orientation last week. Before new hires can work aboard our ferries as an ordinary sailor, they must pass this intensive training. The two-week class includes firefighting, personal safety and survival, first aid, classroom time and job duty familiarization out in our fleet. In addition to experiencing firsthand what it’s like to work on our vessels, I wanted to learn more about the extraordinary training that our crews go through to keep everyone on board safe.

All our new vessel crewmembers must be trained in firefighting.

I want to thank my classmates, who supported each other through the challenging orientation. Also, much appreciation to our excellent trainers, who take time away from their regular positions in the fleet to share their expertise. There were 14 others in the class training to be new deck crewmembers. These incredible women and men will immediately be put to work as ordinary sailors (and a few able-bodied sailors) as they begin their career with WSF. Welcome aboard!

My classmates and I spent a day in the water practicing personal survival skills.

Career day for high schoolers from across the region

To recruit a new generation of employees, we hosted our first-ever career day for high school students from across the Puget Sound region at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility today. Students from Central Kitsap, Enumclaw, Kingston, North Kitsap and South Kitsap high schools, as well as West Sound Tech saw firsthand what it’s like to work in maritime and trades. While we actively recruit and hire new workers and train existing employees to fill key positions, we’re also looking to bring long-term stability to our workforce. That’s why we’re looking to attract high school graduates into lifelong careers with us!

Eagle Harbor Pipefitter Foreperson Jason Mattos shows students various pipes during a tour of  the maintenance facility’s trade shops. 

Shoregang Bonnie Frazier shows a student how to quickly put on firefighting gear in the event of an emergency during a safety demonstration

Pacific Northwest Ferry Operators Forum

Several of my colleagues, including most of the WSF Executive Team, and I visited Victoria, British Columbia, Canada earlier this week to attend the Pacific Northwest Ferry Operators Forum. The event brings together ferry operators from around the region, including BC Ferries, Inland Ferries, Black Ball Ferry Line, Kitsap Transit, King County Metro and Victoria Clipper. Many sessions were focused on common challenges like workforce development, including diversity, equity and inclusion in recruitment, hiring, training and retention. We also had great discussions on the electrification of vessels and terminals, as well as how to improve safety programs.

Director of Operations Steve Nevey presents at the Pacific Northwest Ferry Operators Forum in Victoria on Tuesday.

Public Service Recognition Week

Next week is Public Service Recognition Week, when we honor the women and men who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees. The Office of Financial Management coordinates our Washington state celebration. I would like to recognize and thank all our employees who work hard to provide safe ferry service to millions of riders each year! Running the largest ferry system in the country takes dedication and skill. I couldn’t be prouder of our team!

With my ordinary and able-bodied sailor classmates at firefighting school. In addition to our deck and engine vessel crews and terminal workers, our public service employees include support staff, designers, engineers and much more!

Walla Walla returns to service following repairs after grounding

A little more than two weeks after running aground in Rich Passage, Walla Walla returned to service yesterday on our Seattle/Bremerton route. Internal and U.S. Coast Guard investigation teams determined that contaminated fuel led to a generator failure resulting in a loss of propulsion and steering controls. Backup systems were also affected by the same fuel issue, resulting in a second generator failure within seconds of the first.

The investigation into how the fuel was contaminated is ongoing. To ensure a similar incident does not occur, all fuel currently on board has tested clean. New, upgraded generator monitoring gauges have also been installed on both Walla Walla and its sister ship Spokane. Another big thanks to our crew aboard the day of the grounding for their quick actions and professionalism, as well as our partners at Washington State Patrol, USCG and Kitsap Transit for their assistance. And much appreciation to everyone involved with getting Walla Walla back into service!

Crew aboard Kitsap rescues diver off Mukilteo

Our Kitsap crewmembers quickly sprang into action Tuesday when they found out about a diver in distress off Mukilteo. They launched a rescue boat, brought the person on board safely and took them back to shore. Thank you to all our crews for your hard work and training to be prepared for all types of emergencies on the water! I’m always so proud of our highly trained vessel crews for stepping up when needed most!

Nighttime closures of Hood Canal Bridge

The State Route 104 Hood Canal Bridge will shut down at night to all travelers several times from Saturday, May 13 through the morning of Thursday, June 22. Most of the closures (view dates and times) are required so crews can upgrade and replace key elements of the bridge over four weeks. This weather-dependent work was originally planned to occur over four weekends this summer. Additional nighttime closures will be needed in September with dates and times being announced later this summer.

Vehicle restrictions on some routes due to tides

Many of you are aware that tides cause monthly sailing cancellations on our Port Townsend/Coupeville route and vehicle restrictions on our Vashon Island runs. But did you know that on rare occasions, extreme low tides cause us to have steep vehicle loading ramps on our Mukilteo/Clinton route as well? If driving a longer vehicle, or one with low ground clearance or long rear overhangs on or off Vashon or Whidbey islands, be sure to check our low tide warnings page before you go!

Kraken flags to fly on downtown Seattle vessels

In support of the Kraken’s Stanley Cup playoffs second round home games against the Dallas Stars, we’re going to fly the team flag starting Sunday, May 7, on all our ferries that serve Colman Dock in downtown Seattle. They will remain up through Tuesday, May 9. Let’s go Kraken!

Next Weekly Update will be Thursday, May 18

There will be no Weekly Update on Thursday, May 11, as I will be attending the 2023 Women’s Transportation Seminar Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. I look forward to sharing my experience there with you in our next Weekly Update on Thursday, May 18!