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So, this made the news all over the world. These are stills from the video WSF tweeted out of the Issaquah on its way up to Anacortes during a boat move. Not exactly sure why WSF decided to go ahead with the move (it had been on the news for days about the potential high winds, there was a gale warning up from NOAA that was in place until 10 PM the evening of the Read more…

WSF’s bulletin this week included drawing of the new hybrid Olympic Class ferries. At the same time, the RIF was released, which included some very interesting information. All Olympic Class ferries are not going to be alike: WSF contracted with a naval architecture firm, Elliott Bay Design Group, to refine the functional design that has been in development over the past two years and attain USCG approval.  These refinements will significantly improve vessel performance and Read more…

OUCH! So, that’s what it looks like when a propeller blade snaps off. WSF posted this photo back on 28 September when the Walla Walla was moved into drydock. “Throwing a blade” was not all that uncommon back in the day, but that was with propellers where the blades were bolted to a center hub. It’s very unusual for this to happen to a “solid state” prop. However, it should be noted that this was Read more…

When was this snipped of an editorial written? 2008? 1997? No, it’s yellowed newsprint, so it has to be a bit older than that. Would you believe…. 1965. Yep, that’s right. Noted in an editorial in a Port Angeles newspaper fifty-eight years ago. Oh, incidentally, what’s the fleet of today? Why, 21 vessels! The newest vessel? Suquamish, which is just about six years old. And the oldest? The Tillikum, at 64. Only 9 of the Read more…