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Each January, there is a special edition recapping the previous year. View the 2023 Year in Review (PDF 4.7MB).

Here is the latest edition of the WSF Weekly Update:

May 16, 2024

A message from Steve

Saturday, May 18, is International Day for Women in Maritime. While this day highlights the incredible and talented women working at WSF, their contributions to the industry deserve daily recognition. The International Maritime Organization established this day to not only raise the profile of women in maritime but also to address the gender imbalance and promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the sector.

Several years ago, my daughters and I watched the first SpaceX capsule docking at the International Space Station on TV. When the doors opened, the incoming astronauts posed for a picture with those already aboard the ISS. My youngest daughter, noticing the scene, asked in a disappointed voice, “Why is it only boys?” before leaving the room. That poignant moment underscored for me the importance of how our youth may perceive various career opportunities. That's why it's crucial for our employees to reflect the diversity of our general population as we work to stabilize our workforce for the long term. According to voluntary data, women made up just 23% of our employees in 2023.

Our policies and culture should empower individuals from all backgrounds to thrive in their careers with us. I am committed to creating pathways and removing barriers to ensure women have every opportunity to succeed at WSF. Recently, we introduced several initiatives aimed at promoting internal equity and enhancing career prospects for all our crewmembers. While we’re proud of our progress, we recognize the journey ahead. Let's steadfastly champion diversity and equity, not only in images but in every facet of our maritime community. Together, we can navigate towards a more inclusive and prosperous future at sea.

National Maritime Day

And Wednesday, May 22, is National Maritime Day. I would like to thank all our mariners in the WSF family for their hard work and dedication. In addition to our vessel crews, you’ll find our mariners amongst our land-based teams, such as our terminals, warehouse, Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility and in our administrative offices. I’m proud to be a part of a team that keeps the region’s maritime tradition alive and strong.

Seattle Maritime Academy tour with Rep. Dave Paul

State House Transportation Committee Vice Chair Rep. Dave Paul and I visited Seattle Maritime Academy on Friday. With new resources and direction from the Legislature, we were able to expand our partnership with SMA through a memorandum of agreement that will lead to additional training for our vessel crewmembers. Around one in four of our current engine room employees graduated from the academy. We appreciate Rep. Paul’s strong support for our crewing needs. We want to make sure this workforce pipeline keeps flowing.

Southworth terminal construction to reduce space on dock beginning next week

Two of the four lanes on the dock at our Southworth terminal will close for about three weeks starting Monday, May 20. During that time, crews will replace the wooden decking of the walkway running along the south side of the pier. Much of the vehicle holding space on the dock will be used as a temporary pedestrian and bike pathway and a buffer between it and the work zone. Plan for possible delays on our Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route, and oversized Vashon-bound vehicles that require the completion of a travel request form will not be able to depart out of Southworth. Customers are encouraged to sign up for travel alerts, arrive early and – for those who can – take alternate routes.

One week left: Fauntleroy terminal replacement project online open house

You have one week left to visit the online open house for our Fauntleroy terminal replacement project. Visitors can learn about the planning alternatives and screening criteria we’ll use to select an alternative to move into environmental review and design later this year. Before making any final decisions on how to replace the terminal, we will ask for additional community input. The online open house closes Friday, May 24. Questions and comments are always welcome via email.

Customer kudos

“RAVE to the workers of the Washington State Ferry system for keeping travelers safe. From our wintry Whidbey perch looking across Puget Sound to Mukilteo, it’s incredible to witness the minute-by-minute adjustments made by the boat captains. During this wild winter, we’ve watched them yaw massive machines for hundreds of yards and negotiate mercurial winds, leviathan currents and intractable tides to safely deliver hundreds of people and vehicles. I hope more daring, bright younger folks pursue careers in this fulfilling — and quintessentially regional — occupation.”

-Mukilteo/Clinton route customer in The Seattle Times

Steve Nevey
Assistant Secretary, WSDOT/Ferries Division