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
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
It’s Smarch! That part of the year that can turn on a dime and be nasty, cold, wet, and even snowy one day, and warm and spring-like the next. A passive-aggressive month, with the start of allergy season, but the promise of warmer days, flowers, and yes, the stupid time Read more
It’s all in the fine print… If you’ve been following the progress of the new ferries, which WSF desperately needs since shall we say two dowagers of the fleet could potentially be one bad Coast Guard inspection away from being yanked from service ala the Steel Electrics (cough cough Yakima, Read more
It’s been in the news quite a bit about the missed sailings by Washington State Ferries. Understandable, being the largest ferry system in the US, they’re going to have the bulk of the publicity. However, this isn’t unique to WSF. The shortage of workers has caused canceled sailings in British Read more