WSF Weekly Report | Plan to restore service starts with Anacortes-San Juan route

Yes, you read that right

||| FROM NICOLE MCINTOSH for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

Initial plans to restore service

We know and understand that our reduced service schedules are causing many challenges for thousands of riders across our system. Again, last month’s difficult decision to cut back sailings was only done when it became clear we didn’t have the crewing necessary to provide consistent service on our fall schedule. Our intent is to reduce last-minute sailing cancellations. Since Oct. 18, we have canceled just eight sailings. We had 341 cancellations from Oct. 1-17.

In addition to greatly reducing last-minute cancellations, we’ve been able to add supplemental service on several routes nearly every day recently.

We’re now working with our labor partners on when and how we can restore service more long term. Based on a review of ridership and need, service will be restored first on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. We may add a fourth boat to the run as soon as next week, returning to the previous fall schedule as a trial. Because this is a trial, ensuring we can reliably crew all assigned vessels there, we won’t reopen reservations for the route until we’re certain we can do so.

A salute to our veterans

To recognize the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, all our operating ferries underway at 11:11 a.m. tomorrow, Nov. 11, will sound their whistles in celebration of Veterans Day. This will be our sixth consecutive year commemorating this important day and we take great pride in this tradition as it is our unique way to express thanks and support for veterans, including the many in our workforce. If you find yourself on one of our ferries on this day at this time, please join us in this reverent moment.

All our vessels in operation on Thursday, Nov. 11, will fly the POW/MIA flag in honor of those who have served in the armed forces.

Busy October of rescues for our crews

Our highly skilled crewmembers were busy last month! On Saturday, Oct. 30, our crews working on the Walla Walla rescued divers near our Edmonds terminal, capping off a busy month of heroics. On Oct. 2, a Chimacum crew saved 11 people after their boat capsized near Colman Dock. A week later on Oct. 11, crewmembers aboard Chetzemoka pulled a kayaker out of the water near our Point Defiance terminal. Then it was two rescues in one week near our Mukilteo terminal for our Suquamish crews, saving a paddleboarder on Oct. 17 and two boaters on Oct. 21. Thank you to all our crewmembers for reminding us how lucky we are to have each one of you out on the water!

Name of next new ferry narrowed to six finalists

The name of our first hybrid-electric ferry is down to Wishkah, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Enie Marie, Stehekin and Muckleshoot. The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) recently released those six finalists, and the public is being asked to help decide. The WSTC, which has legal authority for naming state highways, bridges and ferries in Washington, will consider public input in making a final name decision at its Tuesday, Dec. 14, meeting.