End of 2021

Well, here it is, the end of another very trying year. Just when it seemed like we might be turning the corner on the pandemic, hello omicron.

In ferry-related news, we got this from the Washington State Transportation Commission on their selection of the new name:

“It represents a geographic area in the state that doesn’t have a ferry named for it right now,” said Commissioner Debbie Young, of San Juan County. The state’s M/V Quinault, named for a lake and river that’s home to the coastal Quinault Indian Nation, was retired in 2009.

Young mentioned the Wishkah River mouth forms a saltwater estuary for shellfish, and “a vital link from forest to sea” for Indigenous people and a modern wood-products industry.”

Fine and dandy, and yes, I do think the album at left had something to do with it being the most popular choice of the online poll.

I did notice, however, that no one during the meeting actually said what the word “Wishkah” means.

It’s a Chehalis word meaning… “Stinking Water.”

This probably has something to do with the nature of the estuary, which, as anyone around here knows, at low tide or certain times of year, can be somewhat odorous. Still, while I can’t disagree with paying tribute to the area itself, or the importance of the river and estuary itself, we now have a “stinking water” ferry.

On the other hand, given the recent troubles with the potable water on board the ferries, maybe it’s an apt name after all.

The Wishkah, the first electric ferry for the fleet, is due to arrive an appalling late 2025. Covid and other things have delayed the design and construction, which was to have been well underway by this time. Last update I saw, which admittedly was a while ago, was the design for the new ferry was 71% complete.

My personal choice for a new name would have been Wollochet. Maybe next time.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Times published a very good article on how to improve the ferry system. The article correctly points out that this mess was 20 years in the making, when the unconstitutional I-695 was passed. Then governor Gary Locke cut the MVET down to that $30.00 mark…and then never replaced the funding for WSF. For the next twenty years, the legislature punted on permanently replacing the funds, cobbling together whatever funding they could. Pushing major projects and maintenance down the road became standard operating practice because of this, which is why the Super Class ended up with a back log of over twenty million dollars each (and ultimately led to the retirement of both the Hyak and Elwha) and why the ever-reliable Issaquah Class ferries have had their projected service life cut back by ten years. They’ve simply been worked to death.

Meanwhile, B.C. Ferries is having similar issues to Washington State Ferries when it comes to staffing. Sailings have been canceled and service disrupted. This trend will probably continue in the future as there is a world-wide shortage of maritime workers.

Up in Alaska, the Matanuska‘s return to service has been delayed again. The culprit: additional repairs. Aging ferries will continue to have issues with steel and other problems, particularly ones worked as hard as the venerable Matanuska.

Best wishes for 2022, everyone! See you in the New Year.