WSF Weekly Report | Good Morning America visit; media visits; online community meetings

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

A message from Steve

I spent Monday with my deputy, John Vezina, and Electrification Program Administrator David Sowers at Eastern Shipbuilding Group. We visited the Florida site where our new 160-car ferries will be built. It was an opportunity to learn more about the family-owned business (watch a video about the company’s history). We also wanted to convey to them the importance of this program to the people of Washington state. They walked us through their construction processes, and I left the visit energized. You can see the structure and discipline in how they approach their work. From steel fabrication to assembly sequencing, there is a clear focus on quality, safety and delivering on commitments. Just as important, there was a strong sense of pride in the work that they do.

Watch a video Assistant Secretary John Vezina and I recorded at Eastern Shipbuilding Group providing an update on our new vessel builds.

This visit was also a good reminder of the scale of what we are taking on. Building new ferries is a complex undertaking. It requires strong partnership, clear communication and a shared commitment to getting the details right. I was encouraged to see the mutual respect that has been built between the staff at Eastern and David’s Electrification Program team. We will continue to stay closely engaged as construction moves forward. I appreciate the time the Eastern spent with us and the openness in their approach. There is a lot of work ahead, but this visit gave me confidence that we are moving in the right direction. 

Media interviews spotlight our plans, progress

Another way we are committed to keeping the public informed is through the media. In the past week, both my deputy and I were interviewed about our work to improve service and strengthen our system for the future. I spoke with KUOW yesterday and last Thursday, Assistant Secretary John Vezina appeared on TVW’s “Inside Olympia.” We both talked about topics that are important to our customers. That includes building new ferries, preparing for summer service and our Service Contingency Plan. We also discussed our plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and our vehicle reservations system. John and I believe the public should understand the system they help pay for through taxes and fares. We also respect the media’s role in asking questions on their behalf.

Assistant Secretary John Vezina with Host Austin Jenkins on the set of TVW’s “Inside Olympia.”

Share your feedback at online community meetings

Join us for one of two online community meetings on Tuesday, May 26, where the public can ask questions and share feedback. Each meeting will begin with a short presentation covering our updated Service Contingency Plan, summer service and FIFA World Cup planning, revised pet policy and our work to build new vessels and install terminal charging infrastructure. Most of the time will be dedicated to answering your questions. Prior registration is required to attend the noon and 6 p.m. meetings. You can also send us your questions or comments ahead of time by email. If you cannot join live, recordings will be posted on our community participation page the day after the meetings.

Both online community meetings will cover the same information.

Added sailings on Port Townsend/Coupeville route begin Sunday, May 10

Starting Sunday, May 10, we are adding more service on our Port Townsend/Coupeville route. We will return to our peak season two-boat sailing schedule on Fridays through Mondays with Salish joining Kennewick. Then beginning Tuesday, June 16, we will operate both vessels daily through Oct. 12, to support the busy summer and shoulder seasons. Vehicle reservations are available for sailings through Sept. 19. Systemwide, we expect our ferries to be busier than recent weekends as families celebrate Mother’s Day. Last year, we had more than 10,000 extra riders on Mother’s Day compared to the Sunday before.

WSF takes center stage on “Good Morning America”

This morning, we were proud to welcome ABC’s “Good Morning America” aboard Wenatchee. They were live during the first couple sailings of the day on our Seattle/Bainbridge route. The broadcast was part of their series, 50 States in 50 Weeks: America the Beautiful. We are honored that GMA chose Washington State Ferries for our state’s feature. Our ferries are an important part of daily life for many communities. Being recognized on national television shows the hard work and dedication our employees bring every day. Thank you to everyone across our system who helped to share our story with people across the country.

GMA Correspondent Becky Worley broadcasts live from Wenatchee this morning

Highlighting our careers at Women in Trades Fair

Nine employees from across our system represented us Friday at the 45th annual Washington Women in Trades Fair. They showed the skill, hard work and dedication of the women who help keep our ferries running every day. By sharing their stories, they also helped inspire others to explore jobs in the maritime field. Events like this matter because reliable ferry service depends on recruiting great people. To attract and keep the best employees, we must be an employer of choice. That means creating clear paths into these careers and supporting people so they can learn, grow and succeed. The fair began in 1979, when women in the trades came together to support each other and push for change. They wanted to help more women enter these careers. Want to learn more about our workforce outreach efforts or how you can get involved? Email our Workforce Outreach Specialist Adam Dahl.

Our booth at the Washington Women in Trade Fair Friday at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion

Overnight closures of SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge

Late night and early morning weekday ferry travelers who use the State Route 104 Hood Canal Bridge will need to find an alternate route the next three weeks. Starting Monday, May 11, both directions of traffic will shut down from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night through Thursday, May 14. The bridge will close again on the same Monday through Thursday overnight schedule May 18-21, then Tuesday through Thursday night, May 26-28 (no closure on Memorial Day). During the closures, contractor crews will replace shock absorbers. These key elements of the bridge help keep both halves of the span connected. Each night of work may be rescheduled due to weather conditions.

Due to the nature of the work, the bridge will not open for any traffic, including emergency response.

Scenes from our ferries featured in new art exhibit

A new art exhibit that celebrates the beauty of the Salish Sea is now open at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center Gallery. Called “Salish Explorations,” the exhibit features prints by local artist Maria Coryell-Martin. She spent a week last fall riding our Port Townsend/Coupeville route, creating many of the pieces now on display. The exhibit runs through July 31. It’s open from noon to 3 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, with extended hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month, or by appointment. Admission is free with donations welcome. The center will offer additional public programs during the exhibit, giving people more ways to learn about and enjoy the Salish Sea.

Maria Coryell-Martin created many of the works featured at the “Salish Explorations” art exhibit while riding our Port Townsend/Coupeville route last fall.

Sailing stats for week of April 27 to May 3

For the week of April 27 to May 3, our systemwide on-time performance (sailings that left within 10 minutes of their scheduled departure) was 85.8%. By comparison, it was 84% during a similar week last year (April 28 to May 4, 2025). To view our on-time performance by month going back to 2017, visit our on-time performance reports page.

Customer kudos

“… I just wanted to send a note to recognize a WSF employee, Coby (Hamby, ordinary seafarer). I’m a regular commuter on the Bainbridge Island-Seattle ferry and Coby continues to serve as a great representative for WSF. Coby is a hard-worker, professional, attentive and kind, and treats all passengers equally with respect. I’ve watched him greet passengers as they board the boat with a hearty good morning and a smile. After conducting his duties during our sailing, as we offload, he genuinely wishes everyone a great day with a smile. Just wanted to send the positive feedback your way and thank you for hiring and retaining people who not only prioritize our safety but also treat everyone with kindness.”

-Seattle/Bainbridge route customer