Not that shocked
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, with the others following in 2024 and 2025.
No word on when the Kwa di Tabil boats are going to be converted, or where or if the redesign of those boats propulsion systems has been started or is anywhere near completion yet.
Meanwhile, no word on the new electric Olympic Class contract yet either. That 2027 date for the first boat in service seems increasingly unlikely…
So, it’s been a year…
Or nearly so since this happened back on 28 July 2022. Still no report from the Coast Guard or NTSB. WSF released its own report several months ago, but so far from the feds, nothing.
Name unknown…
B.C. is looking to clean up its abandoned vessels, like the Queen of Sidney, which has been moldering on the Fraser River for a couple of decades now. Next to her is the sad remains of the San Mateo, whose name seems to have been lost to all but ferry historians, as she’s simply “another derelict vessel.” What remains of the San Mateo is now 101 years old.
It really isn’t just WSF…
The shortage of trained staff is a problem everywhere, not just at Washington State Ferries. Alaska, British Columbia, Staten Island–everywhere is seeing problems with staffing. This was known about years ago, made worse by the pandemic, but everyone is still acting surprised.
It was July, 1967…
The 20th, to be exact, that the Hyak made her first run to Bremerton, retiring the Kalakala and Willapa. Now retired, her next stop is the scrap yard.
For your summer travel in 1937…
Edmonds to Port Ludlow: the Quillayute.
Edmonds to Kingston: the City of Angeles.
7 Comments
Mark C. Stearns · July 25, 2023 at 3:05 am
Tonight, I just returned home from a two week adventure in the Pacific Northwest. I rode ferries in British Columbia. What a great experience. Happy, polite crew welcoming us on board. We were given the opportunity, not once, but twice to board the ferry one hour before reservation time. The Captain on one of the trips even had a sense of humor and greeted the guests on board with a witty pre-sailing safety announcement, much like what you would hear on a airplane.
Meanwhile in Washington, I found a three hour wait at Mukilteo, another two hour wait on South Whidbey. I found several sailings cancelled and vessels tied up for lack of crew. Once I was (FINALLY) on board, the crew was grumbly and anything but courteous. What a contrast! For over 50 years, I had a deep love for WSF. Since the pandemic, it seems people from the glass administration offices all the way to the crew decks don’t seem to care any more.
New bucket list item: Ride the smaller gulf island ferries in BC. It will be a scenic ride and the experience promises to be pleasant.
Charles J. O'Kelly · July 25, 2023 at 4:45 pm
The faces of WSF staff are mirrors, reflecting their patrons.
Mark C. Stearns · July 29, 2023 at 3:57 pm
I will agree, the patrons are upset. Who wouldn’t be with one boat service, service cancellations and hours long wait to get on a vessel to get home? I do not blame the line level workers who are doing their jobs with one hand tied behind their back. They are the front line heroes of this chaotic mess caused by decades of poor planning and decision making at the highest levels. The problems we are experiencing lay at the feet of the governor and the administration in the offices who, in spite of public meetings, seem to be completely disconnected to what is happening at “sea level”.
Charles J. O'Kelly · July 30, 2023 at 4:14 am
“chaotic mess caused by decades of poor planning and decision making at the highest levels”‘
You are perhaps referring to Mr Eyman and the citizens who voted for, and continue to vote for, his initiatives?
“problems we are experiencing lay at the feet of the governor”
I would concur with this sentiment if King Charles III were still making the gubernatorial appointments as an absolute monarch, with that governor speaking with the voice of the Crown. Instead, our governors are elected. I submit that, having claimed the authority to install, and dismiss, our elected officials, We the People bear the responsibility for their actions. If We the People are unwilling to bear that burden, why do we persist with the pretense of democracy? I argue that We elect those persons who tell us what We wish to hear, and rail when those persons fail to meet our uninformed, unreasonable expectations – while, meanwhile, those who have the appropriate knowledge and skills, but who, because of their knowledge and skills, tell us only what We need to know (most of it unpleasant hearing), are sidelined, with no chance of coming to Our attention, never mind winning election. I am glad that you don’t blame our ferry workers for this mess. Unfortunately, I argue, enough of our citizens, by their actions (solemn words being meaningless), convey the message that We the people DO blame them, We being unwilling to blame ourselves, to accept the responsibility due Us, and the ferry workers are the nearest and most convenient target.
Mark C. Stearns · July 30, 2023 at 8:43 pm
I fully understand and accept your sentiment about the voters electing officials who seem to do anything but their jobs as qualified representatives of the people. The governor and the legislature have ignored time passing and vessels aging. The Jumbos are 50 years old. The Mark 2’s are 24 years old. What plans are being put in place to replace these giants? We cannot function with just more 144’s. We will need more 200+ vehicle capacity vessels. But, everyone seems to be stuck on electrifying the fleet and building more 144’s. Someday soon we will start to see the Jumbo’s experience more and more age related breakdowns like the Supers did. Then what? We need visionaries in the administration, not just politicians.
Chinooksteve · July 30, 2023 at 8:50 pm
https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/washington-state-ferries-planning/washington-state-ferries-long-range-plan
Mark C. Stearns · August 10, 2023 at 8:35 pm
I appreciate the link. It has been a while since I had read it. A couple things stood out.
1. This vision was written before COVID. We are living in a different world now. WSF still does not have the staff to operate at full capacity The triangle route is not at 3 boats full time. Bremerton and Port Townsend still have only one vessel. AND Sidney is still only a dream. It is hard to put that plan into place when we can’t even reach minimal acceptable service.
2. Even in this vision plan, there is no mention of replacing our giants with giants. Our Jumbos & Mark 2’s will fade into the sunset without like sized replacements. Does that mean routes like Bremerton, Kingston and BBI are going to be serviced with 3 or 4 vessels like the old days to keep up with the increasing traffic? That could be fun, but I don’t see that as the reality. Instead, I believe we are going to be forced to endure longer waits until the public cries out for a series of toll bridges like the SF Bay area.
Going back to my original thoughts, while coming out of the pandemic has been difficult for all maritime services, I believe BC Ferries has done a better job keeping the service fresh with new vessels and happy people. Just my humble opinion, who with a quarter, might buy me a piece of bubble gum. 🙂
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