WSF Weekly Update | New guy on board; Samish crew makes rescue; recent Gray notebook entries; Buoy on board

I am delighted to share this WSF Weekly Update for the first time as the newly appointed assistant secretary of Washington State Ferries. Leading this iconic organization is the honor of a lifetime, and I am eager to embark on this journey.

As I step into this role, I am filled with optimism and determination. While I am clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead, I am also confident my colleagues and I can restore ferry service to the levels our customers expect, while simultaneously implementing long-term solutions making us reliable for decades to come.

I enjoy meeting with my coworkers and hearing their ideas and suggestions. I have already started a culture change effort throughout our workforce that is critical to our future success.

I bring a wealth of knowledge and a diverse background in the maritime industry to this role. As a deck officer on merchant ships then moving on shore to lead a range of disciplines including global maritime operations at Holland America, and for the last two-and-a-half years as WSF’s director of marine operations, every step of my career has prepared me for this challenge.

During my time at WSF I have prioritized innovation and inclusivity, spearheading initiatives such as the AB (Able-Bodied Sailor) to Mate programs and scholarship initiatives to address shortages in skilled positions and ensure career advancement paths for all employees. Additionally, I have worked tirelessly to align our operations with industry standards and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Looking ahead, I am committed to implementing comprehensive strategies to address key areas of concern. I am eager to continue building relationships with stakeholders and seeking support to deliver on these strategies. Together with my colleagues, I am confident we can navigate any obstacles and uphold the legacy of Washington State Ferries.

I look forward to serving in this new capacity.

Crew aboard Samish assist in rescue of 6 people

Our Samish crewmembers played a big role in the rescue of six boaters near Decatur Island March 9. Strong winds and big waves smashed the windshield of their vessel, filling the cabin with water and making the radio inoperable. After hearing a distress call, the crew was first on scene, using the ferry to block the boat from the weather before launching a rescue boat. Four of the six people were brought aboard Samish and given medical attention, food and hot water bottles. The other two and two dogs waited for the arrival of U.S. Coast Guard personnel, who escorted them back to Anacortes along with Samish, which the crew used to shield them during transit. Thank you to all our crews for your hard work and training to be prepared for all types of emergencies on the water!

Samish crewmembers launched a rescue boat to assist boaters in distress near Thatcher Pass on March 9. Photo credit Victoria Compton.

Spring sailing schedule begins Sunday, March 24

Our spring sailing schedule starts Sunday, March 24. This year, the change in season will only affect our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route, where we will return to daily four-boat service similar to last fall. An additional late evening round trip on our Port Townsend/Coupeville run at 10 and 10:40 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays will begin on May 12.

Vehicle reservations are available for our Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes through June 15, which marks the end of our spring sailing schedule.

Demonstration of underwater robotic technology

We are beginning our journey to find less toxic, longer lasting and more durable hull coatings for our vessels. That’s why we recently hosted Hullbot at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility to demonstrate their robotic technology to groom and inspect hulls, inspect piles, conduct sea grass surveys and many more applications. The need for more frequent, in-water hull groomings will be a key component to keep new coatings clean, which will lead to better maintained hulls, better fuel efficiency and reduced underwater noise!

Representatives from the Port of Seattle, FRS Clipper and the State Department of Ecology also joined us to see a demonstration of Hullbot’s innovations.

Colman Dock Project honored for women’s leadership

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s especially fitting that our Colman Dock Project received the Innovative Transportation Solutions Award last week during the Women’s Transportation Seminar Puget Sound Chapter Awards & Scholarship Gala. The award honors an innovative transportation project led by a woman, non-binary person or team of women/non-binary people. An estimated 150 women have been involved in our Seattle terminal project, including development, design, construction and operations. The event also provided many of our employees with a chance to network with other transportation professionals while raising funds for WTS scholarships for women pursuing engineering and transportation degrees. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole McIntosh and nearly two dozen women who have played major roles in our Colman Dock project attended the gala to accept the award.

Annual vessels and terminals report in latest WSDOT Gray Notebook

WSDOT’s latest Gray Notebook focuses on the state of our vessels and terminals. The interactive performance and accountability report outlines our preservation needs in years ahead.

Highlights from the Ferries’ section include:

• Vessel preservation backlog decreased 11.2% from $269.7 million in fiscal year 2022 to $239.6 million in fiscal year 2023.
• 38% of our fleet (eight of 21 vessels) is in a state of good repair at the end of fiscal year 2023.
• 92.7% of terminal assets were in state of good repair at the end of fiscal year 2023.

A different Buoy on our boat

Cathlamet hosted a special visitor from deep in the waters of the Salish Sea yesterday. This guest didn’t say a word and barged on board on their way from Fauntleroy to Southworth. We’re referring to Seattle Kraken mascot, Buoy, of course! He stopped by to spark some Kraken spirit to our customers and crew. Buoy felt the breeze on his long hair on the passenger deck, visited the pilothouse, took photos with customers and even took part in a vehicle-loading training session with the crew! We always love to see the Kraken on our ferries… after all, their goal horn is from our retired vessel Hyak!

Buoy with crewmembers in the passenger cabin of Cathlamet as he toured the vessel yesterday spreading Kraken pride!