WSF Weekly Update | ‘You can’t fire a cannon out of a canoe’

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

A message from Steve

“You can’t fire a cannon out of a canoe.”

I heard this a few weeks ago, and it made me chuckle. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how perfectly it describes the work we’re doing at Washington State Ferries.

Our system has many challenges. I often hear from customers and employees about very specific issues that need to be fixed. Those things absolutely matter and deserve attention. But we’re also working on something bigger: building the structure and stability to make sure those kinds of issues don’t keep popping up. Otherwise, we are just playing “whack-a-mole” forever or trying to fire cannons out of canoes.

One of the biggest challenges I see as a leader is how we focus our work at the right level – “zooming in and out” depending on the task. If we get stuck in a cycle of running from issue to issue, the deeper, systemic problems don’t get addressed. We need to build a strong framework and foundation so that when problems are resolved, the fixes last and the organization gets stronger over time. That way, each improvement adds up to real progress instead of just a temporary patch.

For our customers, this means that the work we are doing is not only about responding to today’s challenges, but also about making sure tomorrow’s ferry system is more reliable and resilient. In real world terms, customers should start to see fewer of the same problems repeating, more stability in schedules and a system that feels like it is moving forward rather than stuck in place.

That balance, solving today’s problems while building tomorrow’s stability, is how we will get back to the reliable ferry service our communities count on every day.

Online community meetings Tuesday, Oct. 14

Have a question for us? Ask it at one of our online community meetings on Tuesday, Oct. 14. We have two sessions – 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Both meetings will share the same information, so choose the time that works best for you. Prior registration is required via Zoom. Each meeting will start with a brief presentation covering this summer’s increased service, our new vessel build program and recent updates at WSF. Most of the time will be dedicated to answering questions. You can also email your questions or comments before the meeting. If you can’t join live, recordings will be posted on our community participation page on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

This limited-edition ORCA card, featuring ORCA mascot Boop, will be awarded to five meeting attendees.

Update on Suquamish engine repairs

We’re making steady progress on repairs to Suquamish. The ferry was taken out of service on our Mukilteo/Clinton route on Sept. 28 because of an engine problem. The issue required an engine overhaul. This is detailed and time-consuming work that our skilled employees are trained to do for moments like this. The boat’s engine room crews and our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility staff took the engine apart, cleaned it and checked it carefully. Damaged parts were repaired or removed, and the oil and fuel systems have been flushed. Special technicians also inspected the engine block and crankshaft to make sure nothing else was damaged. When repairs are done and we put the engine back together, we’ll run tests to make sure the engine is running well. We want to thank all of them for working hard and quickly to get the vessel back in service. Suquamish will be back as soon as it is safe to sail, helping restore vehicle capacity on our Mukilteo/Clinton and Seattle/Bremerton routes. Check out our video post on social media for more on these engine repairs.

Suquamish is docked at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility while our teams conduct engine repairs.

New director of finance and administration

We recently welcomed our new Director of Finance and Administration Hillary Badger. She joins our 11-member executive team. Hillary comes from WSDOT Headquarters, where she has been assistant budget director since 2019. She is known for her strong leadership and management skills. At WSDOT, Hillary led a team that prepared the agency’s budget request for the governor, while also coordinating and working with staff from the Legislature and other state agencies. In her new role, she will lead our finance, administration, and employee services functions, helping to improve our operations and support our staff.

Hillary brings a wealth of government and transportation experience. She has worked with several WSDOT programs including WSF, as well as transportation staff at the Office of Financial Management and the Legislature.

Sharing innovation and expertise with international peers

We hosted a group from the American Society of Civil Engineers at our Seattle terminal yesterday. Deputy Director of Terminal Engineering and Construction Bryant Bullamore talked about our Colman Dock reconstruction project. Deputy Electrification Program Administrator Anders Hammersborg shared how we’re working to power ferries and terminals with electricity. The ASCE 2025 Convention brought hundreds of engineers to Seattle this week, with tours of places like the Boeing Factory and Climate Pledge Arena. These events help us build strong connections with partners and share what we’ve learned. It also helps people around the world see us as a leader in modern, sustainable ferry travel.

Deputy Electrification Program Administrator Anders Hammersborg speaks to ASCE 2025 Convention participants about our electrification efforts at Colman Dock yesterday.

Kitsap Color Classic on our Edmonds/Kingston route Sunday, Oct. 12

We’re expecting many bicyclists on our Edmonds/Kingston route on Sunday, Oct. 12, for the 31st Annual Kitsap Color Classic. If you plan to drive onto the ferry, plan for delays and less space for cars, or think about taking a different route. Event participants should follow directions from our crew when boarding and leaving the ferry.

Most of the bicycle traffic will be on our 8:50 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 10:20 a.m. sailings out of Edmonds, then Kingston departures in the afternoon.

Sailing stats for week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 5

For the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, we completed 98.3% of our 3,077 scheduled sailings. This figure is separate from on-time performance. Of the 53 cancellations, 44 were due to vessel-related issues, four for schedule resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers) two because of crewing, two due to terminal-related issues and one for other miscellaneous reasons.

For comparison, during a similar week last year (Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, 2024), we completed 98.7% of our 2,797 scheduled sailings. Of the 37 cancellations that week, 22 were because of vessel-related issues, 10 due to schedule resets, four for other miscellaneous reasons and one because of terminal-related issues.

Customer kudos

“Rode the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge on 9/20 on a rented motorcycle. As I was departing Bainbridge side the key to the bikes hard case saddlebags fell out of my pocket. We didn’t realize until getting to a coffee shop in town. This was a pretty big problem as it was a lost key on a rental and all our belongings were locked in the saddle bags at the time. I went back to the ferry terminal and talked with (terminal employees) Eric (Larsen) and Jimmy (Laufer) at the booth and explained the predicament. They were able to radio ahead and miraculously another employee by the name of James (Sharp) was able to find the key on the ground. They were all incredibly friendly, helpful and courteous throughout, even joking a bit to keep the mood light. They definitely saved the day for us. So just wanted to report my thanks and feedback. Keep up the good work!”

-Seattle/Bainbridge route customer