Date:  Thursday, February 28, 2008

Contact: Lloyd Brown, WSDOT Communications, 360-705-7076

SEATTLE - The Washington State Department of Transportation announced today a realignment of two key programs - Vessel Engineering and Vessel Maintenance. 

This step is part of Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond's commitment to improve the organizational structure and performance of the ferry system.  The two programs have become one under the direction of Paul Brodeur, the new Ferries Division Director of Vessel Maintenance, Preservation and Engineering.  Paul previously served as the Ferries Division Director of Maintenance and Preservation.

"The Ferries Division is embarking on a significant new vessel construction effort and we are committed to an effective ongoing vessel maintenance and preservation program," said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. "By making organizational changes now, we set the stage for Assistant Secretary David Moseley to tailor his workforce to best meet system needs."

The realignment will create greater efficiencies in how the Ferries Division maintains the fleet and builds the six new vessels planned for the system.  It also addresses a key finding in the report from the State Auditor's Office to provide additional oversight of the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility.  The move eliminates four existing management positions and creates two new positions - a Chief Naval Architect and Vessel Engineering Construction Manager.

###

No Ordinary Journey

Created on June 1, 1951, Washington State Ferries (WSF) is the largest ferry system in the United States and the largest ferry system in the world based on vehicles carried. More than 24 million people a year ride the ferries and over 30,000 vehicles a day use this critical link in the state highway system. WSF has a fleet of 26 vessels and operates 20 terminals throughout Puget Sound.

< Back to News Home