I’ve always been fond of this little ferry.She started life in 1923 as the steam powered ferry Whidby for the Whidby Island Transit company, then a subsidiary of PSN, and soon to be totally absorbed by the company, for routes on and around Whidbey Island. She worked in this capacity for nearly a decade before Black Ball pulled her out of service with a very definite idea for upgrading the little vessel in 1931 for Read more…
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…
Wenatchee, Sealth, Issaquah, Puyallup, Chimacum, Walla Walla, Kennewick. These are the ferries out of service for routine or unplanned maintenance at the end of November. Were it not for some quick work, the Tillikum wouldn’t have made back in time to take over duty on the inter-island run. As it stands, the 64-year-old ferry was delayed getting back due to additional work needed to keep the vessel built in the Eisenhour administration running. The Yakima, 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…
From time to time, I’m going to start posting things from the collection. There is just no point in sitting on all these images if no one gets to see them. However, please don’t steal my photos. I’m more than happy to lend images to people for their various publications(and have done so many times in the past–just give me a credit, please.) It’s very discouraging to see some of my images on the internet Read more…
The bids came in for the conversion of the Jumbo Mark II’s, and not surprisingly, they’re above what the state expected to spend. Like 25% more. This isn’t surprising giving the state’s predilection for low-balling constructions costs on, well, everything and the fact that costs on materials, etc have greatly increased since the pandemic. The Wenatchee is due to be pulled from service this September for about a year while the conversion work takes place, Read more…
Disappointing, but not surprising… WSF is not going to be able to restore service on the Vashon Island or Bremerton routes this year as planned. While hiring is up, retirements are as well. This problem is not unique to Washington State Ferries or even Washington State. B.C. Ferries continues to have staffing issues, as does, the rest of the world. About those new boats… We’re now half-way through 2023 and there is no sign of Read more…