WSF weekly update | Sustainability action plan

— from Washington State Ferries —

With Earth Day marking one year into our two-year Sustainability Action Plan, I wanted to provide an update on where we are with our goals and actions for greener ferries and terminals.

Data from a vessel noise study we conducted in October is being used to develop a marine mammal management plan to target slowdowns when cetaceans are present and building quieter ferries in the future. We also now have a better idea when whales may be near our vessels with an alert app and web-based system that gives our captains a more accurate and updated location for whales.

This boat in Elliott Bay off Colman Dock assisted in gathering valuable underwater vessel noise data this past fall.

This month also marks a milestone for us in our efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Since we started operating with new speed guidelines to reduce fuel consumption in April 2018, we have saved 1 million gallons of fuel! This equates to millions of dollars and thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide saved.

As far as the Plan’s energy efficiency efforts, we were within weeks of completion before work was stopped due to COVID-19. However, we’re already seeing energy and carbon savings and look forward to further savings once all the work is completed, including solar installations at Bainbridge.