WSF Weekly Report | Recruiting, schmoozing, and electrifying

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

Getting high schoolers interested in working for us

My colleagues from our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility, human resources and the fleet went to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds yesterday to showcase our jobs in trades to high schoolers. The annual Try-A-Trade Day event is an interactive career fair that attracts hundreds of students, mostly juniors and seniors currently in shop classes with an interest in hands-on careers from West Sound Tech and many school districts from around the region. I’m so glad we were able to participate as a corporate sponsor in this important recruiting event and hope to see a new class of young, local mariners and tradespeople join our team soon!

Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility General Manager R.J. Kelly talks to a Try-A-Trade Day attendee at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds yesterday.

Electrification presentation at FERRIES Conference

Our Electrification Program Administrator Matt Von Ruden presented at Marine Log’s 35th Annual FERRIES Conference yesterday. He outlined plans to transition our ferry system to hybrid electric. This year’s conference brought maritime professionals to San Francisco to network, learn about new technologies and share lessons learned in the pursuit of more efficient ferry systems. Matt also participated in a panel on recent developments in double-ended ferry propulsion technology. Thanks Matt, for representing us at this important event and continuing to broaden our knowledge of successful innovations in ferry design, construction and operations!

Electrification Program Administrator Matt Von Ruden provided an overview of our ferry system as part of his presentation.

Meeting with Finnish Ambassador to the U.S

Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello met with the Ambassador of Finland to the United States Mikko Hautala late last week. He was interested in learning about our ferry system and electrification efforts. Patty tells me she was excited to speak with him as Finland is very innovative in the maritime industry and we have an opportunity to learn a lot from them.

Ambassador of Finland to the United States Mikko Hautala and Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello pose for a photo following a meeting last week.

Service awards

Fifty-two employees in our operations department, which includes our deck and terminal crews, are celebrating service anniversary milestones in 2022 of 20 years or more. We had two recognition events last week where these colleagues of mine were presented with their awards. There will be three more over the next month. Thank you for your service and dedication over the years. Congratulations!

The Mukilteo recognition event included two 30-year employees, Ticket Seller Maria Mezich (fourth from left) and Relief Terminal Supervisor Irene Dodge (right).

The Vashon recognition event included a 40-year employee, Capt. Hazard Book (fifth from right) and 35-year awardee Capt. Al Birkland (second from right).

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. Friday, Nov. 11, will sound their whistles in celebration of Veterans Day. And new this year, we will fly the flag of one of the six U.S. military branches on all operating vessels.

This will be our seventh 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.

Vehicle reservations for winter season available

Vehicle reservations are now available for our winter season, which runs from Jan. 1 through March 25. For our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route, 30% of available space has been released, another 30% opens two weeks prior to each sailing date, the final 30% will be available two days prior, with the remaining 10% saved for emergency and stand-by vehicles. On our Port Townsend/Coupeville run, all reservations (80% of available space) are available, with the remaining 20% saved for emergency and stand-by vehicles.

Daylight saving time and our sailing schedules

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. The full sailing day of Saturday, Nov. 5, will start and end on Pacific Daylight Time. Terminals and vessels will turn their clocks back one hour after the end of the full Saturday sailing schedule. The sailing day starting on Sunday, Nov. 6, will be under Pacific Standard Time.

“I was in line for the […] ferry when my car suddenly died. […] I decided to go to the ferry dock office just to ask if anyone had any ideas about what I could do. […] I was greeted by a female employee [Ticket Taker Jen Hartle] who asked me how I was doing. When I said not very well, she asked me about my situation and quickly offered to try to jumpstart my car with a ‘tractor.’ She said she would meet me right away at my car. She then successfully jumpstarted the car – I was so relieved and thankful.

“I can’t give your employee enough credit for her pleasant, helpful, and calming manner to a stressed-out ferry passenger like myself. A bad experience had turned into a good experience. I hope you will pass along my thanks to her and hope you give her the appreciation she deserves.”

-Fauntleroy/Vashon customer

Next Weekly Update will be Thursday, Nov. 17

There will be no Weekly Update on Thursday, Nov. 10. We’ll catch up in our next Weekly Update on Thursday, Nov. 17.