||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||
Norwegian delegation visits to discuss electrification
With Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Ramberg Krutnes and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen at Seattle’s Colman Dock.
WSDOT Deputy Secretary Amy Scarton and I had the honor of hosting Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Ramberg Krutnes and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen aboard Tacoma on Monday. Norway is a global leader in maritime vessel and shoreside electrification and Congressman Larsen is a strong proponent of Washington’s vessel hybridization. Thanks to our System Electrification Program Manager Matt Von Ruden for providing an engine room tour, explaining our electrification plans on board one of the first vessels that will be converted to a hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Loss of employee
It is with great sadness that we’ve learned that one of our co-workers has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Andrew Smalley has been with WSF since 1998 when he started as an oiler. He was promoted to assistant engineer in 2007 and then to chief engineer in 2012. He most recently served the communities of Puget Sound as a relief chief engineer. My heart and thoughts are with his family and friends and all of our frontline employees at this difficult time. This is the second COVID loss within the WSF family following the loss of Colman Dock Ticket Seller Esther Bryant-Kyles, who died in March 2020.
Fall sailing schedule begins Sunday, Sept. 26
The weather is cooling down, the Seahawks are back in action and leaves are starting to fall. That can only mean one thing – autumn is nearly here and so is our fall sailing schedule, which begins next Sunday, Sept. 26. This year, sailing times will change only on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. All other routes will remain the same as they are now. Vehicle reservations for the entire season, which runs through Jan. 1, 2022, are available for our Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville route.
“To the crew member [Able-Bodied Seaman Sean Sultan] on today’s [Thursday, Sept. 9] 12:40 [p.m.] Vashon to Fauntleroy run, who took the time to recognize my mom was not OK, THANK YOU! She had just learned of the passing of her sister. She was grieving, hard! Your awareness, your kindness, and your compassion [are] greatly appreciated. Even walking up the dock with her until she got to me… thank you! Please know you brought comfort to my mom at a very difficult time.” -Fauntleroy/Vashon route customer
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Thank you for the WSF newsletter, and put forward in such a personal sharing way. It helps us know that the ferries and its riders are in cooperation with, and not at odds with each other.
We should remember that when we have complaints about the service, it usually boils down to the fault of the state’s financing allotment, regulations (shortage of Coast Guard)…or the weather.