WSF Weekly Report | More out-of-system visitors; meeting with BC; another survey

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

East Coast maritime studies students tour Tacoma

Members of Williams-Mystic, the Coastal and Ocean Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, toured Tacoma on Monday. The group is visiting the Pacific Northwest as part of a week-long trip to learn about maritime issues and policy on the West Coast. The 20 members of the group toured the inactive pilot house on a sailing from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. It’s always great to share what we do with others in the maritime community. Thank you to the Tacoma crew for their hospitality!

The group from Williams-Mystic pose for a photo aboard Tacoma with our Community and External Relations Manager Hadley Rodero, a program alumna, and Capt. Patrick Tuohy (right).

Meeting with Victoria, British Columbia area leaders 

Community and External Relations Manager Hadley Rodero and I met with government and business leaders from the Victoria, British Columbia metro area on Tuesday. The group was in Seattle to strengthen relationships and discuss issues important to both of our regions. I talked about the future of our Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia international route, letting them know we expect to be able to resume service in 2030. We discussed the importance of the transportation link between Washington and Vancouver Island and our shared interest in resuming service as soon as possible.

With Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, Destination Greater Victoria Chair Darlene Hollstein, Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith and Destination Greater Victoria CEO Paul Nursey.

Survey to help us learn more about our riders

As the leaves change color, our riders have another opportunity to take our survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card! With the start of the fall season, we’ve opened another round of surveying to help us better understand the communities we serve and the needs of our customers. Outreach teams will be aboard some sailings on all our routes throughout October encouraging riders to take this passenger demographic survey. Last day to provide input will be Tuesday, Oct. 31.

“Rode the Spokane from Kingston to Edmonds. Upon arrival I realized I left my wallet on the ferry. Went to the terminal and to my very happy surprise the very awesome crew had found and kept it for me. I had money, credit cards my life in there. They wouldn’t even except a tip for my appreciation. Very [thankful] to this group of worker[s]. Restored [faith in] humanity for me. Thank you. Please let their managers know how great they are.”

-Edmonds/Kingston customer