The Elwha pulling into San Francisco on her journey northward in 1968. Note the lower car deck windows are boarded up and the false bow (left end of photo) to break waves. Author’s photo. Going nowhere fast Debacle–noun– A sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat; a rout; A total, often Read more…
We have a final design! This is how the new as-yet-unnamed class of ferries will look. And again, please no “Electric Olympics” or something lame like that. They different enough from the Olympics (which, I’m sorry, for me when I hear “Olympic Class” I’m always going to think of the Read more…
To diesel or not to diesel… That is the question. While the Seattle Times editorial board and even several of the candidates for governor are calling for at least two diesel Olympic Class ferries to be built while we wait for the first hybrid electric ferries to appear, there’s a 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 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 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 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? 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 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 Read more…
Not too much of a shock, but WSF’s internal investigation determined that the captain of the Cathlamet “lost situational awareness” and that was the cause of the crash, which, honestly, I believe is probably the worst I’d ever seen. In the years since the Cathlamet chewed up the docks at Read more…