Weekly update
Read the weekly update WSDOT Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey, the head of Washington State Ferries, sends to staff, colleagues and stakeholders.
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If you have suggestions or comments about the WSF Weekly Update, email WSFWeeklyUpdate@wsdot.wa.gov.
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:
Jan. 30, 2025
A message from Steve
We’re turning the ship around. At Washington State Ferries, we are committed to delivering service excellence, it's one of our three strategic priorities. We know over the last several years, we have fallen short of meeting expectations. However, in recent months, several indicators show things are improving. The latest indicator came last week when we completed 100% of our scheduled sailings!
We know there’s still work to do and that we may have rough weeks ahead, especially in the busier summer months, but we are moving in the right direction toward a more dependable and resilient ferry system. The recent achievement reflects the dedication of our employees, especially our dispatch and maintenance teams, who work tirelessly to ensure our vessels are fully crewed and in good repair. With each step forward, we’re proving we truly are turning the ship around as we navigate toward a brighter future.
Virtual public meetings, Feb. 12 and 13
Mark your calendar! We’re hosting two virtual community meetings next month to provide the latest information on service restoration, building new ferries, electrification and the legislative session. The meetings will be at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 12, and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13. The meetings will cover the same material. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Advance registration is required. Email us if you would like to send in questions ahead of the meetings.
Decommissioned ferry Elwha sold to Everett Ship Repair
Everett Ship Repair has purchased the decommissioned Elwha for $100,000. The shipyard plans to convert the retired 144-car vessel into a floating office and warehouse. Built in the 1960s, Elwha primarily served the Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia route. It was retired in 2020. We are working to sell and transfer our two remaining decommissioned boats, Klahowya and Hyak, to free up dock space at Eagle Harbor for maintenance on our current fleet.
Anacortes/San Juan Islands schedule update task force meeting
Our Anacortes/San Juan Islands schedule update task force met yesterday to review how the new winter sailing times are working. We are looking at many factors, like on-time performance, ferry capacity and allotments, to see how the schedule is performing. We’re working with the community, ferry staff and elected officials to measure its success. The group also discussed next steps for the spring schedule.
Want to work for us? Apply for a scholarship to get your maritime credentials
To work as a deck or engine room crewmember aboard our vessels you need maritime credentials. People new to the industry will need a Merchant Mariner Credential and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential. If you want to work for WSF and need help paying for these you can now apply for a scholarship aimed at reducing barriers to the maritime industry. Applications are open until May 16, or until funds run out. Over 50 scholarships will be given. For more information about this program check out the scholarship website.
Youth Maritime Career Launch graduation
Our three engine room interns graduated from the Port of Seattle’s Youth Maritime Career Launch program Saturday. The three-month paid internship connects young adults, ages 18-24, to permanent maritime employment opportunities. Our intern last year, Martrez Darden, now works with us as an oiler. Like Martrez, we hope Monet Davis, Mae Idyl and Audrey Rue consider a career with us. Congratulations to the three of them.
Passenger pick up and drop off at our Seattle terminal just got easier
The city of Seattle has completed street, sidewalk and utility work in front of our entry building at Colman Dock. This means the long-awaited passenger pickup and drop-off area is now open, as well as the taxi waiting area. Signs along Alaskan Way note each designated area where drivers can stop for a short time.
SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge weekday delays Feb. 18-27
An early heads up for our Seattle/Bainbridge route riders! You may want to plan for extra travel time in mid-to-late February if you use the State Route 305 Agate Pass Bridge. From Tuesday, Feb. 18, through Thursday, Feb. 27, the bridge will be reduced to one alternating lane of traffic from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday for annual bridge maintenance work. There will be no lane closures on Saturday Feb. 23 or Sunday, Feb. 23. Travelers can expect 30-minute delays, if not more. Consider traveling early or late in the day or reschedule discretionary trips. Other alternatives include taking the Bremerton or Kingston ferries.
SR 20 roadwork near Port Townsend terminal
Plan for possible travel delays near our Port Townsend terminal for the next four months while the city is replacing sewer lines on State Route 20/Water Street west of the dock. The road may be reduced to one alternating lane of traffic and the bike lane may be closed during work hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Travelers will be guided by flaggers when necessary. We expect little to no disruption to traffic entering and exiting the terminal.
Customer kudos
“… I travel on the ferry once a week round trip on the Bainbridge run and there are a few cashiers and workers that make the experience super pleasurable and really embody what it means to be a Washington state ferry worker. Mary (Nygard) that works at the Seattle dock as a drive on cashier is the literal highlight of my dogs week. She is so nice, friendly, and professional that I get sad when I get other workers at her booth as does my Pup.
“On the Bainbridge side Tashia (Hurlburt, ticket seller) and her coworkers at those cashier booths (Ticket Sellers Vanessa Camanse-Wolf, Rachel Keller and Nena Reichert) go above and beyond to make sure the experience at the window is still personable. even when it has to be quick they never seem tired or fed up, or stressed at all and it is a nice change of pace from other guest service experiences post pandemic.
“There is also an older gentleman with a white beard (terminal employee Will Granstrom) that directs traffic on the Seattle side that is just as personable as the others I have named. These few people really go above and beyond to make my trip a truly smooth experience and it is so valued and they deserve credit for the good work they put in.”
-Seattle/Bainbridge route customer
Steve Nevey
Assistant Secretary, WSDOT/Ferries Division
Slow down on ice and snow.
It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.
Carry chains, practice installing them.
Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.
Pack your winter car kit.
Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.