WSF Weekly Report | Recruiting high schoolers, scholarships for deck officers, talk about ferry fares

||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

High schoolers interested in a career in maritime tour Tacoma, Eagle Harbor

Students from Tacoma Public Schools’ Tacoma Tideflats – Merchant Mariner summer program toured one of our ferries and our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Monday. The class, which sets high schoolers up for a career in maritime, visited the pilothouse and engine room aboard Tacoma while the vessel was sailing on our Seattle/Bainbridge route. They also stopped at Eagle Harbor to check out the facility’s various trade shops. Thanks to all our employees for sharing their knowledge and experience as we look to attract high school graduates into lifelong careers with us!

Alternate Staff Chief Engineer Beth Adams talks to the students in the engine room aboard Puyallup, which is currently undergoing maintenance at Eagle Harbor.

New scholarship to become a licensed deck officer

I’m excited to announce that we are now offering 10 scholarships a year to people interested in becoming a licensed deck officer as we address our crewing needs. In conjunction with the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, the two-year apprenticeship program includes 100% of the tuition for academic training and onboard experience, along with a daily stipend. The program is designed to open doors to candidates interested in becoming U.S. Coast Guard licensed mates. No experience is required. I encourage our unlicensed crewmembers and anyone else interested in becoming a licensed deck officer at WSF to apply by Oct. 30. The program begins in February.

Each scholarship includes paid training days aboard our vessels, learning from our captains and mates, and is worth more than $61,000 in tuition.

Seattle/Bainbridge route on one-boat schedule during Sept. 7-13 vehicle closure

Our Seattle/Bainbridge route will operate on a one-boat schedule during the Sept. 7-13 closure for vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and electric scooters. Walk-on and ADA passengers travelling without a vehicle will use the existing overhead walkway while construction crews stage, lift then place spans for a new large metal walkway into place. Kitsap Transit, King County Metro, Sound Transit and Seattle Electric Scooter and Bike Share provide transportation links for walk-ons on the route. We’ll provide details soon on possible service changes on other routes during the closure. Answers to some of the common questions about the vehicle closure can be found in our FAQ.

The new overhead passenger walkway at Bainbridge terminal will be more spacious and comfortable for passengers as they await the ferry.

Vehicle reservations for fall season available 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 25

Vehicle reservations for our fall season (Sept. 24 to Dec. 30) on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes will be available at 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 25. For our Anacortes/San Juan Islands runs, another batch of reservations will be released two weeks before each specific sailing. The remaining space on each sailing will be available two days before.

Ferry sailing with fall colors in the trees in the background
Planning a fall ferry getaway? Vehicle reservations for Sept. 24 to Dec. 30 will be available at 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 25.

Public comments wanted on proposed ferry fares

The Washington State Transportation Commission is looking for public input on its proposed ferry fare changes over the next two years. You can submit your comments via their online feedback form or email through Sunday, July 30, or during the commission’s final hearing on its fare proposal at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, when it is expected to make a decision on new ferry fares.

“[…] Want to give a huge shout out to the crew of the Tacoma and especially [Chief Mate] Patrick [Tuohy] who took us across from Bainbridge Island to Seattle today (May 24th) around 11:15ish.

“My family and I were visiting Bainbridge from Portland, OR since Sunday for my son Zachary’s 6th birthday […]. Zachary absolutely LOVES ships of all kinds and the lore surrounding them, so getting to ride the ferry on his birthday was a big deal for him. However, Patrick [Tuohy, chief mate] brought it to a whole different level for Zach and made it a really memorable experience.

“Zach struck up a conversation with Patrick while we were up on the sun deck, and Patrick stopped and took time to really engage with him – Zach was truly thrilled. Then after that Patrick made a special announcement on the ship’s PA letting everyone know that there was a very special boy on board celebrating his 6th birthday, and Zach got cheers and clapping and birthday greetings everywhere we went on the Tacoma!

“It was a truly magical experience for him, and one that I think he will always remember. We all just want to give a big heartfelt thanks for helping make Zachary’s 6th birthday something so special!!!” –Seattle/Bainbridge customer