WSF weekly check-in | Service restoration update, Summer schedule kicks in Sunday, medical preferential loading update

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

Service restoration update

Recent unexpected retirements, resignations and protected leaves of absence have caused attrition to outpace our recruiting and training efforts, especially among licensed vessel crews. Because of this crewing situation, as well as vessel availability constraints, we will not be able to trial pre-pandemic three-boat weekday service on our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route until early next year. This updated timeline also affects the start of trialing a second boat on our Seattle/Bremerton run, which we’ll shift our efforts once our “Triangle” route is considered fully restored (PDF 794KB).

The governor and the legislature have invested in programs necessary to restore pre-pandemic crewing levels and funding for new vessels, but it will take time to build both. 

In the meantime, we’ll soon start putting a third boat into service on our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run when crewing and vessel availability allow. During a recent public meeting, route users voted overwhelmingly in favor of adding this unscheduled ferry, which will do “clean-up” sailings around the current two-boat schedule to help move traffic.

GreenTech 2023 environmental conference in Seattle

People interested in the maritime industry, green technologies and innovation in sustainable maritime transportation gathered in Seattle this week for Green Marine’s GreenTech 2023. I had the honor of speaking at the opening session of the annual environmental conference, which featured talks from experts in the field and state-of-the-art exhibitors. It was also great to meet and network with others dedicated to sustainable maritime transportation.

I was honored to be one of the featured speakers during the opening session of the GreenTech 2023 environmental conference at Grand Hyatt Seattle.

Chief Sustainability Officer Kevin Bartoy talks to about 40 conference participants Monday on a tour of Chimacum during a roundtrip sailing between Seattle and Bremerton.

At the Green Marine 2023 Annual General Meeting in Canada last week, I was elected to a three-year term on the program’s Board of Directors. I’m proud to serve as one of its nine members, five of which are women. Green Marine President David Bolduc said, “It’s great to see this first at Green Marine as our historically male industry continually embraces change on all fronts to become more sustainable and reflective of our communities at large. There’s also no doubt that our industry’s focus on environmental improvement over the past 15 years has attracted and supported a more diverse leadership committed to creating a better future for all.”

Summer schedule begins Sunday, June 18

Our summer sailing schedule starts Sunday, June 18. The change in season will bring modifications to our daily four-boat timetables on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route, added late-night service for the #2 boat on our Mukilteo/Clinton run and an additional roundtrip overnight Friday into Saturday on our Edmonds/Kingston route.

Medical preferential loading program update

As a reminder, enrollment for our medical preferential loading program is now completely online. We are no longer accepting faxed applications. Customers must work with their health care provider to submit a form on our website. Once submitted, both the customer and provider will receive a confirmation email. A printed copy of this confirmation email must be presented with an ID when traveling.

Commission meeting on ferry fare changes Wednesday, June 21

The Washington State Transportation Commission will meet Wednesday, June 21, to discuss changes to ferry fares. The meeting is open to the public, either in person at the San Juan County Council Chambers (55 Second St., Friday Harbor) or virtually. WSF will present its fare adjustment recommendation to the commission and the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariff will provide their thoughts and preferences based on their recent review process. The public will be able to provide comment before the commission selects its proposed fare changes, which will then go before the public for review and comment through July 30.