WSF Weekly Report | Things are looking electric

||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

We’ve hit an exciting milestone in our electrification efforts with the launch of a national contracting process to build five new hybrid-electric ferries. Aside from greatly lowering our emissions, these vessels will benefit our employees. Crews in Europe operating similar ferries report that the reduced noise and vibrations make these ferries easier on their bodies, resulting in less fatigue.  This noise reduction also helps with the health of marine mammals, including Southern Resident killer whales. We are actively exploring ways to use these quieter machinery plants with more efficient propeller designs for our ferries to reduce underwater noise.

June is Orca Action Month and a good time to share that we are dedicated to significantly reducing the effects of our vessel noise on marine mammals such as orcas.

Reflecting on this, I’m reminded of the interconnectedness of our actions and the impact they have on our environment and community. As someone deeply committed to the welfare of our marine ecosystem, I’m incredibly proud of the steps we’re taking towards a more sustainable future, not only for our region, passengers and crew, but also for the majestic creatures that inhabit our waters.

Nationwide shipbuilder search begins for five new-hybrid-electric ferries

We invited shipbuilders from across the country late last week to bid on building us five new hybrid-electric ferries. In 2023, the Legislature passed a law that allows us to solicit shipbuilders nationwide (instead of just in Washington state) and to build vessels concurrently at one or two shipyards. Our last boats constructed out of state were delivered in 1967. Under this contracting approach, two ferries could be delivered in 2028, two more in 2029 and the final vessel in 2030 (subject to final bid prices and available funding). These boats are expected to support our Mukilteo/Clinton and Seattle/Bremerton routes. They will help us tremendously in restoring service and reducing our environmental impacts.

The design of our new hybrid-electric ferries allows for a capacity of 160 vehicles.

System Electrification Program Administrator Matt von Ruden speaks about the design of the new vessels during a media event with the state Legislature’s transportation committee chairs, Sen. Marko Liias and Rep. Jake Fey.

Virtual public meetings, June 17 and 18

Mark your calendar! We’re hosting two virtual community meetings this month with our local Ferry Advisory Committees. The meetings will be at noon Monday, June 17, and 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18. Both meetings will cover the same material. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Advance registration is required.

Email us if you would like to send in questions ahead of the meetings.

Apply for our licensed deck officer scholarship

If you’ve dreamed of working as a mate or captain aboard one of our ferries, we’ve got a great opportunity for you. We’re looking for 12 people – no maritime experience required – to offer a full-ride scholarship with the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies to become licensed deck officers. The application period for this two-year apprenticeship program opens tomorrow, June 1, and closes Sunday, June 30. The program begins in February 2025. Each scholarship is worth over $100,000, which includes a $200 per day stipend for each day of training aboard one of our ferries.

This two-year, paid training program with MITAGS prepares those with no maritime experience to be licensed deck officers, our most in-need crewing position.

Two-day overhead loading closure at Bainbridge terminal, June 12 and 13

The overhead loading at our Bainbridge terminal will be closed for two days next week. All ferry passengers will need to load and unload via the car deck on Wednesday and Thursday, June 12 and 13. During the closure, plan for possible boarding and offloading delays as crews replace the moveable section that raises and lowers to link up with the vessel. The pedestrian route alongside the holding lanes between the terminal building and the ferry will be clearly marked. This work is part of our new Bainbridge overhead walkway project, which is now entering its final stages.

Our new Bainbridge terminal overhead walkway opened in February. The project is scheduled to wrap up this summer after crews add some finishing touches, such as a permanent divider railing on the walkway, heaters, cameras, visual displays and tribal welcome figures.

Dedicated ferry lane coming to southbound SR 305 approaching Bainbridge terminal

Next week, WSDOT crews will revise traffic on southbound State Route 305 at two intersections on Bainbridge Island to create a dedicated right lane for vehicles boarding the ferry. The changes will include new traffic signal displays and turn restrictions at the Winslow Way (JPG 129KB) and Harborview Drive (JPG 149KB)  intersections. Plan for possible travel delays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, when crews may close one lane of the highway to install new signs, pavement markings and traffic signal displays.

After work is complete, travel in the right lane on southbound SR 305 approaching Winslow Way will be restricted to vehicles boarding a ferry. Right turns onto Winslow Way and Harborview Drive will be restricted to the left lane.

The Great Ferry Race on Seattle/Bainbridge route Sunday, June 9

Heads up if your ferry travels take you to Bainbridge Island on Sunday, June 9! Hundreds of people participating in The Great Ferry Race will be on our 7:55 a.m. Seattle to Bainbridge sailing. Upon arrival, they will begin a half marathon around the island that may cause traffic delays. The event is scheduled to end at 1 p.m.

The Great Ferry Race begins aboard our vessel at Bainbridge terminal. Photo courtesy Orca Running.

Orca Action Month

June is Orca Action Month and we’re proud of our continued partnership with the Orca Network to help protect and spread awareness of southern resident killer whales. Some of our efforts include reporting for Ocean Wise’s Whale Report Alert System, participation in Quiet Sound and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program, along with implementing recommendations from the state’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force. In addition, most of our crewmembers have completed the ECHO Program’s Whales in our Waters tutorial.

Our summertime marine naturalist program returns this weekend with Orca Network volunteers aboard select sailings on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route.

Sailing stats for week of May 27-June 2

For the week of May 20-26, we completed 98.3% of our 2,793 scheduled sailings. We were able to replace one of our 48 canceled sailings, which were due to a vessel being out of service (44%), crewing (6%) and schedule resets (25%), when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers.