WSF weekly report has nothing for Orcas Landing, but Mukilteo has stuff going on, and a new Maritime High School

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

New school will be key to our workforce development

We’re proud to be involved with the new Maritime High School, which will open in September in Des Moines with its first ninth-grade class. Our Vessel Engineering and Maintenance Director Matt Von Ruden is part of a team working to develop the program’s curriculum, which will center on the environment, marine science and maritime careers, including maritime construction, vessel operations and other careers working on or near the water. The school is a collaborative project of Highline Public Schools, Northwest Maritime Center, Port of Seattle, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, as well as many community and industry partners

The new Maritime High School will be vital in our workforce development goals.
The program is still accepting applications for its inaugural 2021-2022 school year.

Tribal displays in new Mukilteo terminal building

From the large welcome figures at the tollbooths to the full-size canoe hanging in the passenger building, our new Mukilteo terminal is infused with tribal history and stories. This week we added two displays in the passenger building that showcase tribal fishing artifacts from the early 1900s and models of cedar canoes the tribes used to fish the waters there. Curators from the Tulalip Tribes’ Hibulb Cultural Center in Marysville will maintain the display, periodically rotating its contents. Plans for a future exhibit include artifacts from tribal members who worked for our ferry system for decades to show the history between the two.

Hibulb Cultural Center Museum Assistant Courtnie Reyes and Senior Curator Emilie Miller
stand by a display containing fishing artifacts from the Tulalip Tribes.

Elevator out of service at Bremerton terminal

The elevator at our Bremerton terminal that connects to local Foot Ferry and Fast Ferry service is out of service for up to eight weeks for Kitsap Transit maintenance work. Customers who cannot use the stairs may contact Kitsap Transit’s ACCESS service at (360) 479-7272 for transportation assistance at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a ride.

Stairs are currently the only way
between our passenger level and Kitsap Transit ferry service
at Bremerton terminal.

45-year service award

We recently presented a 45-year service award to Ticket Seller Frank Fletcher. Frank works at our Port Townsend terminal. Thank you, Frank, for your service and dedication over the years. Congratulations!

Regional Operations Manager Shelley Sharp presents Frank with a ship’s wheel,
pin and certificate for his 45 years of service.