WSF Weekly Check-In | Ramel hears Lopezians ferry concerns, new apprenticeship program, Colman Dock work, hold on new reservations

||| FROM NICOLE MCINTOSH for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

Work begins on next phase of Colman Dock project

More than a million pounds of steel is arriving at our Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock Project site. This allows crews to begin work on steel framing for the entry building along Alaskan Way and an elevated pedestrian connector to our new terminal building, which has been partially open since 2019. The remaining two-thirds of the terminal building is scheduled to open in summer 2022. The entire project is expected to be complete in 2023.

Construction crews began erecting steel framing last week for the new Colman Dock entry building along Alaskan Way in Seattle.

Artist rendering looking south from Alaskan Way at the entry building. 

Discussion on Lopez Island ferry concerns

State Rep. Alex Ramel, whose district includes our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route and who serves on the House Transportation Committee, visited Lopez Island on Friday, Oct. 22, to discuss ferry issues with constituents. He was joined by Washington State Transportation Commissioner Debbie Young, a Lopezian, and San Juan County Councilmember Christine Minney. They discussed infrastructure needs necessary should eastbound vehicle reservations for Lopez Island be added in the future, adding terminal restrooms and the challenges Lopez Island residents face with our current alternate schedules. Rep. Ramel also met with wheelhouse and engine room crews on Yakima and Chelan, thanking them for their service and hearing their thoughts on our service needs.

State Rep. Alex Ramel meets with Lopez Island residents.

New apprenticeship program at Dakota Creek shipyard

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently approved an apprenticeship program at shipbuilding and repair facility Dakota Creek Industries Inc. (DCI) in Anacortes as part of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. Along with management, 26 highly skilled DCI employees were involved in creating the program, which includes four trades – machinery assembler, marine electrician, production welder and shipfitter/ fabricator. This apprenticeship approval expands the eligibility of DCI to compete for all our vessel maintenance, preservation and new construction contracts.

Aerial view of Dakota Creek Industries Inc. in Anacortes.

Vehicle reservations release for winter season postponed

We are postponing next week’s two-month advance release of vehicle reservations for our winter season as we continue to temporarily operate alternate service on most routes. New reservations for our Anacortes/San Juan Islands sailings are suspended until further notice. We continue to take new reservations on our Port Townsend/Coupeville route for travel through Jan. 1, 2022. We are actively working on reinstating reservations for our Anacortes/San Juan Islands runs and will announce plans for post-January 1 reservations as soon as possible.

Two rescues in one week for Suquamish crews

Right after we sent out last week’s Weekly Update, Suquamish was involved in its second rescue in five days! Last Thursday afternoon, Oct. 21, our crews aboard the vessel helped take two people ashore to the Mukilteo fishing pier after they noticed their small boat adrift. Earlier in the week on Sunday, Oct. 17, the crew working Suquamish rescued a paddleboarder near our Mukilteo terminal. I’m so proud of our crews for their heroic efforts and extend my thanks to all our highly trained vessel crews for your commitment to safety!