WSF Weekly Report | Charging new ferries; new ticketing/reservation system

||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

A message from Steve

A question we get a lot is: When are you actually going to be able to charge the ferries?

The easiest way to think about our new ferries is that they will work a lot like a plug-in hybrid car. Most of our vessels today are diesel electric. That means diesel generators produce electricity that powers the motors that turn the propellers. The new boats will have two large battery banks and two diesel generators, instead of the four diesel generators found on most of our current ferries. They will be able to operate in three ways. The first is hybrid mode, using the diesel generators and batteries together. The second is diesel-only mode, if needed. Finally, as we add charging infrastructure at our terminals, they will be able to run primarily on battery power, with the diesel generators available as backup.

And yes, we have a plan to plug the vessels in. We are currently funded to install charging infrastructure at our Seattle, Bainbridge and Clinton terminals. Seattle is scheduled to be ready in 2029, with Bainbridge and Clinton following in 2030.

Our first two new boats are planned for our Mukilteo/Clinton route, so the ferries and charging infrastructure are being built on timelines that will bring them together.

We’re already getting experience with this technology. Wenatchee returned to service last year after being converted into what is effectively a giant plug-in hybrid. It has been operating in hybrid mode since then. When charging infrastructure at Seattle’s Colman Dock is complete, we’ll be able to plug Wenatchee in between sailings, charging its batteries with shore power. As we add charging at more terminals, we’ll be able to use more electricity and less diesel while keeping diesel power available when we need it.

Have a question? Ask us at online community meetings

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 10. We’re hosting two online community meetings at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Prior registration is required. This is your chance to ask questions and share feedback. Each meeting will start with a short presentation recapping our summer service and an update on our new vessel construction. Most of the time will be dedicated to answering your questions. You can also send questions or comments ahead of time by email. If you can’t attend live, recordings will be posted on our community participation page the day after the meetings.

Both online community meetings will cover the same information.

Update on new ticketing and reservations system

We have new information on our Ticketing and Reservations Modernization effort. This project will improve the customer experience when buying tickets and booking vehicle reservations. In March, we ended our contract with a vendor because of ongoing challenges and delays. Since then, we have reorganized the project, hired a new project manager and updated our plans. We are also getting customer and employee input earlier in the process. One of the biggest changes is making a customer relationship management platform the first phase of the project. This will give employees one central place to manage customer accounts and communication history. Future ticketing and reservation systems will connect to this platform. In time, customers will be able to manage their communication preferences, tickets and reservations all in one place. We released a request for information Tuesday and plan to release a request for proposals later this year. We expect a vendor to begin building the new systems in summer 2027. The first parts of the new system could roll out in late 2027 or early 2028.

Our TRM project will also update the technology and equipment used by our terminal employees and customer service teams.

Sailing stats for week of Aug. 17-23

For the week of Aug. 17-23, our systemwide on-time performance (sailings that left within 10 minutes of their scheduled departure) was 76.4%. By comparison, it was 74.7% during a similar week last year (Aug. 18-24, 2025). To view our on-time performance by month going back to 2017, visit our on-time performance reports page.

Customer kudos

“This past Saturday started as one of the most beautiful days. The beach was calm, the weather looked perfect, and I decided to go out for a paddleboarding adventure.

“Not long after, everything changed.

“One moment I was paddling with no problem, and the next I found myself being pushed farther and farther offshore by powerful winds and unpredictable currents. I fought as hard as I could for nearly an hour, but no matter what I did, I kept drifting farther away. It was one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve ever been through. There came a moment when I realized I was in real trouble, and that I might not make it back on my own.

“Thankfully, I was able to flag down the ferry.

“I cannot put into words how grateful I am to the incredible crew. Within moments, they had a rescue plan in motion. I want to give a very special thank you to Mark (O., able-bodied seafarer) and Ben (F., bosun), who came out in the rescue boat and brought me safely aboard. Their professionalism, calmness, and compassion in such a frightening moment will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“I also want to thank every member of the ferry crew. You didn’t just do your jobs—you gave someone another chance to come home. Because of your quick thinking, teamwork, and selflessness, what could have ended in tragedy became a story of gratitude instead.

“This experience reminded me just how quickly nature can humble us. What began as a peaceful afternoon turned into a fight for survival in a matter of seconds. The Sound is incredibly beautiful, but it deserves our deepest respect. Winds and currents can change without warning, and they are far stronger than we often realize.

“Looking back, I don’t know what I could have done differently in that moment other than being better prepared. Although I had a life jacket, If there’s one lesson I’ll carry with me, it’s that if you’re heading out on the water, especially alone, having reliable ways to communicate and signal for help beyond just a cell phone can make all the difference.

“To Mark, Ben, and the entire ferry crew: from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will never forget what you did for me. You didn’t just rescue a paddleboarder—you saved my life.

“I am incredibly grateful to be here today because of all of you. ”

 -Rescued paddleboarder