WSF Weekly Report | Time for a new chapter

Following 33 years at WSDOT, I’ve decided to leave the agency and WSF to explore a new chapter in my life. After losing my father this fall and learning that I will soon be a brand-new grandmother, it reminded me how important it is to strike the right balance between time spent with loved ones and the demands of the job.

I plan to step down as assistant secretary in early 2024, after my successor is chosen and is ready to assume this role. Together, we are making great progress in strengthening our workforce, building our fleet and upgrading our infrastructure to ensure system stability for years to come. This momentum must continue, and I will do everything I can to make sure your next leader has a good understanding of our situation before stepping down.

My time at WSDOT has been amazing, especially the time I have been able to spend here at WSF learning about all the amazing things we do to move our customers across the Salish Sea. One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was earlier this year when I went through the intensive training our crewmembers must pass before working on a vessel.

Holiday season ferry travel

Our ridership is expected to total half a million over the last 12 days of the year. If you’ll be traveling with us over the holiday season, prepare for busy sailings and long waits if boarding in a vehicle. Customers are encouraged to download the WSDOT mobile app for rider alerts, terminal conditions and to track the boats in real time.

Please join me in thanking our employees for their hard work as many will spend time away from their families to make sure our riders can safely arrive at their destinations over the holidays.

The busiest sailings for vehicles will likely be now through Sunday, Dec. 24, especially westbound (or onto an island), and Tuesday through Saturday, Dec. 26-30, mainly eastbound (or off island). To reduce or eliminate waiting, riders may consider taking an early morning or late-night sailing or by using transit to walk or bike onto the ferry if possible. On Christmas, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, there will be a few schedule changes on most of our routes. The Anacortes/San Juan Islands run will switch to its winter season schedule starting Sunday, Dec. 31. Holiday sailings are marked on the schedules for each route.

Governor’s supplemental budget plan supports workforce development, improving service reliability

Gov. Jay Inslee released his proposed 2024 supplemental budgets last week. His plan includes strong support for the continued development of our workforce and to improve service reliability. The governor is proposing to expand programs that encourage our existing employees to become licensed deck officers, recruit potential crewmembers from across the country and hire entry-level engine room wipers who are trained on the job to become oilers. The transportation budget also includes funding to add staffing on each operating vessel to help prevent service disruptions and boost our dispatching abilities to respond to crew relief requests and fill necessary shifts. In addition, his proposal requires a study on potential designs for a new class of ferries to replace our aging Issaquah-class vessels, evaluation of the state’s role in passenger-only ferry service and continuation of a contract with Kitsap Transit to provide supplemental passenger-only ferry service between Seattle and Bremerton. We’re ready to work with legislators next year on this significant investment in improving our system.

The governor’s supplemental budget also funds the conversion of a third Jumbo Mark II vessel (Puyallup) to hybrid-electric power. The other two (Wenatchee and Tacoma) were funded in last year’s budget.

Have a question? Ask us at next month’s public meetings

Don’t forget! We’re four weeks away from our two virtual community meetings with our local Ferry Advisory Committees. The meetings will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Both meetings will cover the same material. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Advanced registration is required.

New head of our technology services division

In the new year, Linda Garland will join our executive team as assistant director of WSF’s technology services division, formerly our information technology department. She comes to us from within WSDOT, serving as technology services manager over the past six years. During that time, Linda led the support and modernization of IT and operational technology systems for two of our agency’s administrative regions and assisted with multiple agencywide technology projects and initiatives. She succeeds Brian Churchwell, who has transitioned to a new role leading many of our technology initiatives, such as improving vehicle wait time estimates and modernizing our ticketing and reservations systems. Congratulations Linda and thank you to TSD Managers Marcus Dabney, Jacob Hiatt and John McKay, for serving in this role on an interim basis for the past several months.

Linda has more than 25 years of experience in IT, working with and leading teams for multiple state and local agencies. Her first day with us is Jan. 1.

Santa says “go go go” to drivers at Vashon terminal

Vashon Terminal Attendant David Herman has an alter ego to bring some holiday cheer to passengers this time of year. He’s been checking his list twice to make sure ferry riders are behaving this holiday season. If you’re passing through our Vashon terminal, “Santa” will be seeing who is nautical and nice this month. 

David helps keep Vashon terminal customers’ spirits bright this time of year. A coworker says he’s “always there to help another person out putting a smile on everyone’s face. He is Santa in every aspect.”

Run, run to catch the gingerbread ferry

A Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route customer recently got into the holiday spirit and made a gingerbread ferry! Lauryth O. Johns designed the boat, which includes gingerbread, M&M’s, candy canes, chocolate chips and gumdrops. It even includes a car deck and a loading dock before drivers hit the road through the rest of Lauryth’s holiday decorations!

Lauryth made this gingerbread ferry boat and sent us this photo to share with all our customers.

Next Weekly Update will be Thursday, Jan. 4

There will be no Weekly Update on Thursday, Dec. 28. I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. If you’re travelling over the holidays, safe journeys! We’ll catch up in the new year!