Welcome to Smarch
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 change. Can’t we get rid of that already?
(S)March is also bringing unwelcome news from both sides of the border. Those who simply can’t believe that WSF problems aren’t unique (and there are those out there who don’t) take a look at this article which popped up on CTV about the current situation at B.C. Ferries. Sound familiar? The only thing their lacking is an aging fleet because, unlike things in Washington State, it doesn’t take an entire decade of “planning” to start getting vessels built. (And if we get one new vessel before 2030 I’ll eat my hat.)
Meanwhile, WSF has made a somewhat dubious claim that they can’t return Sidney service until 2030, citing a lack of boats. (Lack of crew I’ll give them.) That’s somewhat true, were it not for the fact that we’ve only had one boat for the run more than we’ve had two available for quite a while in the last nearly two decades while the Elwha was in various stages of falling apart. (One wonders what the language is in the contract with the City of Sidney and what might constitute a breech of said contract on the part of the state by not providing any service for the next seven years. )
On the surface, it seems patently absurd they can’t run at least for summer season to Sidney, given how how often the Elwha was MIA over the last 18 years.
The fleet is stretched thin, to be sure, and if that’s the case, then perhaps we’d be better off building some diesel-electric ferries right now for conversion to electric hybrid later. However, given the pace of boat building for WSF, and all the dithering that goes along with it, that’d probably take another decade in itself.
In the short term, start carrying lucky charms, saying prayers and stockpiling parts for the Tillikum, Yakima, and Kaleetan–all of which are on borrowed time.
On the good news front, the Cathlamet has had her smashed picklefork repair–no, replaced and has been sprung from the shipyard in Everett. Pretty speedy, given the extent of the damage.
She’ll have to undergo the usual inspections and certifications, but she could be back in service as early as the end of this month.
As for the report on the accident that caused the damage in the first place, no word on when that will be wrapped up.
1 Comment
Mark C. Stearns · March 12, 2023 at 1:08 am
Another great update! Thank you!
I too questioned the lack of vessels for the Sidney run. What is the Chelan? Canned squash? She is a comfortable vessel and even has her SOLAS rating. Unless there is a green clause that states only electric vessels are allowed in Canada, I don’t see why the Chelan cannot provide the service for which she was built.
The Queen of Alberni is a beautiful small vessel. While we are waiting for the new vessels to come on line, why doesn’t WSF pick her up and use her as a relief vessel. She probably still has 20 years of service left in her. In her pre-remodeled configuration, she would be ideal for FVS, Muk-Cli and even some SJI work.
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