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Each January, there is a special edition recapping the previous year. View the 2024 Year in Review (PDF 670KB).

Here is the latest edition of the WSF Weekly Update:

Feb. 27, 2025

A message from Steve

This week, I made key leadership changes to ensure we have the right team in place as we focus, building new vessels and culture change.

John Vezina, currently our senior director of external relations, will now serve as my deputy, joining me in leading our Strategic and Executive Leadership teams. In this role, he will foster a culture of teamwork, mentorship, accountability and excellence. These elements are critical to our success.

I also named Director of Marine Operations Beth Stowell as senior director of fleet operations. In addition to marine operations she will guide all our three other departments that keep our system safe and in operation. These transitions for John and Beth combine with my previously announced decision to appoint David Sowers as System Electrification Program administrator. He will advance our long-term goals of becoming a cleaner, more sustainable operation. Nicole McIntosh, David’s predecessor as terminal engineering director, will return to that role in the spring.

These leadership changes are about more than titles – they’re about building a team who work together, stay focused and drive real progress. With strong leadership and a shared commitment to our strategic priorities (service excellence, improved communication and empowered people), we’re charting a path toward a brighter, more reliable future that will better serve the communities that depend on us.

Learn more about the future of Fauntleroy terminal 

Following extensive community engagement and input, we have selected a concept for our new Fauntleroy terminal. Our recommendation will improve efficiency by providing more space to load and unload passengers. It would increase vehicle capacity to 124 to 155 vehicles, up from 80 today – all while avoiding nearby Cove Park and minimizing environmental impacts. The public is invited to learn more about our selected alternative through an online open house. We’ll also have a virtual information session at 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 11. Advance registration is required. The open house and information session will include the same information. 

Nameplate from Klahowya now greets local students

A piece of our history has a new home. We donated a nameplate from our retired ferry Klahowya to Klahowya Secondary School. This morning, we joined community leaders and school representatives for a dedication and unveiling ceremony. Speakers included our Director of Vessel Engineering and Maintenance Richard Servance, State Rep. Greg Nance, Kitsap County Commissioner Katie Walters and Central Kitsap School District Superintendent Dr. Erin Prince. They talked about the boat’s legacy and how our service connects students and their communities around Puget Sound. Klahowya first set sail in 1958 and was retired in 2017.

Sharing ferry tales with Oak Harbor community

Capt. Jeffrey Reeves spoke at Oak Harbor Library last week to share stories about his 17-year career at WSF. He talked about how he became a captain, some of the weirdest things he’s seen while working and what he does every day in his job. Events like these are a great way for us to connect with the communities we serve. They also allow us to share the unique experiences of the people who keep our ferries running.

Why are there flamingos at Port Townsend terminal?

If you see a flamboyance of pink flamingos at our Port Townsend terminal, don’t worry – you haven’t taken a wrong turn to Florida! Terminal Supervisor Jennie Buswell made a personal donation to the Port Townsend High School Class of 2025. It's flamingo flocking fundraiser supports the Annual Safe & Sober Grad Night Party. This fun campaign lets people pay to have flamingos placed in someone’s yard, along with a note saying they’ve been “flocked” for a good cause. With our recent gray skies and wet weather, these flamingos bring a little brightness – and help local grads celebrate safely!

Sailing stats for week of Feb. 17-23

For the week of Feb. 17-23, we completed 98.5% of our 2,728 scheduled sailings. This figure is separate from on-time performance. Of the 40 cancellations, 29 were for vessel-related issues, four due to crewing, four because of weather and three 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).

Customer kudos

As a rider on the Pt Defiance Tahlequah route, I frequently see alerts that there is a crew shortage for 1 or more coming trips. These are most often in the late afternoon or evening and apply to the first runs the next morning. I appreciate the alert. I also note – very favorably, that dispatch is later able to fill the shortage and the run will sail as planned.”

-Point Defiance/Tahlequah route customer

Steve Nevey
WSDOT Deputy Secretary for Washington State Ferries