WSF Weekly Report | Electrification; public meetings; gender-neutral USCG titles; Issaquah now resides aboard Issaquah

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

A message from Steve

I often get asked a variation of this question: Why are we spending so much money on electrification instead of fixing existing problems?

This is a fair question. The reality is, we must build 16 new ferries over the next 15 years, no matter what type of propulsion system they use. This is to keep up with projected vessel retirements and gives us a service relief boat. Plus, it makes sure we have enough ferries to allow of annual maintenance and preservation work. Making them hybrid electric adds relatively little to the overall build cost. It’s also the right thing to do, not just for the environment, but for a more reliable, efficient and cost-effective fleet. Our boats are expected to sail for 60 years. More information can be found in our 2040 Long Range Plan, which was developed with substantial input from our employees and the public.

Preliminary renderings of the outboard profile for our new hybrid-electric 160-auto-capacity ferry.

Electrification isn’t just a Washington initiative. When I meet with ferry executives from around the world, every one of them is working on a decarbonization strategy. The maritime industry is shifting, and if we don’t modernize now, we risk being left behind. At the same time, we know that reliable service today is just as important as long-term sustainability. That’s why we’re also investing heavily in maintaining the current fleet, hiring and training crew, and improving service reliability.

Electrification is about modernizing and securing the future of the ferry system. It’s not a choice between fixing today’s problems or planning for the future – we must do both.

One virtual public meeting done, one more ahead

About 160 people joined us yesterday for the first of two virtual community meetings. Following a brief presentation, our staff answered questions from attendees. The second meeting is at 6 tonight, Feb. 13, covering the same material. Advanced registration is required. Recordings of both meetings will be posted to our community participation page tomorrow, Feb. 14.

I provided a quick summary at the beginning of yesterday’s public meeting, along with several directors. Most of the time was spent answering questions from attendees.

USCG implements gender-neutral titles

A U.S. Coast Guard rule to replace gendered titles for certain officer and rating endorsements took effect last month. This change is part of their effort to use gender-neutral language whenever possible, consistent with the international community. We share this goal and are working to update our job titles, such as using “sailor” instead of “seaman” and “captain” instead of “master.” Under the new rule, the USCG will issue endorsements with these updated titles. Mariners don’t need to apply for this change – it will happen automatically the next time they apply for a credential. The USCG hopes these changes will make it easier to verify mariner credentials and make sure the language used is more inclusive.

Additional Thursday sailings for heavy traffic on Anacortes/San Juan Islands route

We will run extra afternoon and evening service on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route on three Thursdays this winter when we expect heavy westbound traffic. Today, Feb. 13, and again on March 13 and 20, we will add the following sailings using the #2 vessel:

• 2:30 p.m. Anacortes to Orcas Island
• 3:40 p.m. Orcas Island to Anacortes
• 4:55 p.m. Anacortes to Friday Harbor
• 6:25 p.m. Friday Harbor to Anacortes (with stop at Lopez Island)
• 7:05 p.m. Lopez Island to Anacortes
• 8:15 p.m. Anacortes to Friday Harbor
• 9:40 p.m. Friday Harbor to Anacortes

Vehicle reservations for these added Thursday sailings on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route are now available.

Lego model of ferry Issaquah finds home aboard its namesake

There’s beauty in pieces coming together to create something bigger. A 7-foot-long Lego model of our ferry Issaquah now resides aboard that very vessel. When BrickCon Director Emeritus Wayne Hussey donated his 37,000-piece replica to us, we knew it had to live inside the Issaquah passenger cabin. Getting it there was a challenge though. A recent blog post explains how our creative employees did it. Thank you, Wayne, for donating this unique work of art, and my colleagues for their effort in getting it aboard Issaquah. The ferry is currently on our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route. It’s scheduled to move to our Anacortes/San Juan Islands run later this month.

Longtime Lego builder Wayne Hussey says he started designing this masterpiece after he was inspired by a newspaper article about the construction of our Issaquah-class ferries in the late 1970s. He finished building it 2001.

Weekday delays crossing SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge start Tuesday, Feb. 18

A reminder for our Seattle/Bainbridge route travelers! On Tuesday, Feb. 18, through Thursday, Feb. 27, the State Route 305 Agate Pass Bridge will be reduced to one alternating lane of traffic from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday for annual maintenance work. There will be no lane closures on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22 and 23. Travelers can expect 30-minute delays, if not more. Consider traveling early or late in the day or reschedule discretionary trips. Other alternatives include taking the Bremerton or Kingston ferries.

Sailing stats for week of Feb. 3-9

For the week of Feb. 3-9, we completed 99.3% of our 2,728 scheduled sailings. This figure is separate from on-time performance. Of the 24 cancellations, 12 were because of crewing and 12 due to tidal currents.  

Customer kudos

“@wsferries Kudos to the 1:00pm crew at the Coupeville Ferry terminal. Nice to be greeted by a friendly smile while driving into the ferry – crew looked like they were having fun and enjoying the job!”

-Port Townsend/Coupeville route customer on X