||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||
A message from Steve
Saturday, May 18, is International Day for Women in Maritime. While this day highlights the incredible and talented women working at WSF, their contributions to the industry deserve daily recognition. The International Maritime Organization established this day to not only raise the profile of women in maritime but also to address the gender imbalance and promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the sector.
All-female team in the pilothouse of the Suquamish, including Chief Mate Cari Brown, Quartermaster Mary Lint, Deckhand Carly Maxstone and Capt. Genevieve Fritschen, on Aug. 25, 2023.
Several years ago, my daughters and I watched the first SpaceX capsule docking at the International Space Station on TV. When the doors opened, the incoming astronauts posed for a picture with those already aboard the ISS. My youngest daughter, noticing the scene, asked in a disappointed voice, “Why is it only boys?” before leaving the room. That poignant moment underscored for me the importance of how our youth may perceive various career opportunities. That’s why it’s crucial for our employees to reflect the diversity of our general population as we work to stabilize our workforce for the long term. According to voluntary data, women made up just 23% of our employees in 2023.
On April 7, our entire staff at Mukilteo terminal consisted of women.
Our policies and culture should empower individuals from all backgrounds to thrive in their careers with us. I am committed to creating pathways and removing barriers to ensure women have every opportunity to succeed at WSF. Recently, we introduced several initiatives aimed at promoting internal equity and enhancing career prospects for all our crewmembers. While we’re proud of our progress, we recognize the journey ahead. Let’s steadfastly champion diversity and equity, not only in images but in every facet of our maritime community. Together, we can navigate towards a more inclusive and prosperous future at sea.
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National Maritime Day
And Wednesday, May 22, is National Maritime Day. I would like to thank all our mariners in the WSF family for their hard work and dedication. In addition to our vessel crews, you’ll find our mariners amongst our land-based teams, such as our terminals, warehouse, Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility and in our administrative offices. I’m proud to be a part of a team that keeps the region’s maritime tradition alive and strong.
Customers regularly see our terminal and vessel deck employees, but rarely encounter our engine room staff. Here is the Sealth crew working with a machinist from our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility to repair a faulty propulsion clutch on Friday.
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Seattle Maritime Academy tour with Rep. Dave Paul
State House Transportation Committee Vice Chair Rep. Dave Paul and I visited Seattle Maritime Academy on Friday. With new resources and direction from the Legislature, we were able to expand our partnership with SMA through a memorandum of agreement that will lead to additional training for our vessel crewmembers. Around one in four of our current engine room employees graduated from the academy. We appreciate Rep. Paul’s strong support for our crewing needs. We want to make sure this workforce pipeline keeps flowing.
Rep. Dave Paul speaks to SMA Associate Dean Dale Bateman during a tour of the academy.
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Southworth terminal construction to reduce space on dock beginning next week
Two of the four lanes on the dock at our Southworth terminal will close for about three weeks starting Monday, May 20. During that time, crews will replace the wooden decking of the walkway running along the south side of the pier. Much of the vehicle holding space on the dock will be used as a temporary pedestrian and bike pathway and a buffer between it and the work zone. Plan for possible delays on our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route, and oversized Vashon-bound vehicles that require the completion of a travel request form will not be able to depart out of Southworth. Customers are encouraged to sign up for travel alerts, arrive early and – for those who can – take alternate routes.
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The decking below the sidewalk is badly in need of repair and we must do this work now so it’s complete ahead of our busy summer travel season. We replaced the decking below the vehicle lanes on the dock in 2007. |
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One week left: Fauntleroy terminal replacement project online open house
You have one week left to visit the online open house for our Fauntleroy terminal replacement project. Visitors can learn about the planning alternatives an screening criteria we’ll use to select and alternative to move into environmental review and design later this year. Before making any final decisions on how to replace the terminal, we will ask for additional community input. The online open house closes Friday, May 24. Questions and comments are always welcome via email.
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Customer kudos
“RAVE to the workers of the Washington State Ferry system for keeping travelers safe. From our wintry Whidbey perch looking across Puget Sound to Mukilteo, it’s incredible to witness the minute-by-minute adjustments made by the boat captains. During this wild winter, we’ve watched them yaw massive machines for hundreds of yards and negotiate mercurial winds, leviathan currents and intractable tides to safely deliver hundreds of people and vehicles. I hope more daring, bright younger folks pursue careers in this fulfilling — and quintessentially regional — occupation.” -Mukilteo/Clinton route customer in The Seattle Times
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