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WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |
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WSF Deputy Director resignsposted 04/22/2008
"Traci has been a real super-star at the ferry system during her tenure," said Moseley, "and she has helped me immensely during my first few months on the job. Traci is the kind of leader who sets a standard by which we all hold ourselves to, and she will be missed." As Deputy Director, Traci Brewer-Rogstad has had overall responsibility for maintaining and ensuring a safe and reliable level of service for the nation’s largest ferry system. Other positions she held at ferries since she first began in 1997 are: Director of Operations; Assistant Director of Operations; Regional Manager; and Area Terminal Manager. Before coming to the ferry system, Brewer-Rogstad worked as a Regional Service Manager and Hotel General Manager for Cruise West, a local small ship cruising company. While there, she also developed experience in outside sales, marketing, and shipyard project management. Brewer-Rogstad holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western Washington University in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business. She lives in Bremerton with her husband of 12 years, John, and their two children. "It has been a great decade during intense and ongoing change. I am very proud of the fact that I served as second in command during some of the greatest challenges facing the ferry system. It is a good time for me to transfer my watch to others and I look forward to a new chapter in my life. I wish my colleagues at the ferries all the best," said Brewer-Rogstad. Ferry route downsized for one week with 90-car Sealthposted 04/16/2008 Completing the Elwha’s inspection next week helps ensure that it will be available to serve the islands during the busy summer months. The Elwha is scheduled to return to the San Juan Islands on Sunday, April 27. During this week, the San Juan Islands route will be downsized by 45 vehicles from its normal capacity. WSDOT appreciates customers’ patience with ongoing service adjustments as the Ferries Division completes necessary vessel inspections and dry-docking for ferry maintenance. Customers are encouraged to check the WEB SITE or call 1-888-808-7977 for the latest information. Vessel repairs completed early; Hiyu to begin service in San Juan Islands Thursday, March 13posted 03/12/2008
The Hiyu’s return to service triggers two other vessel moves. The 87-car Klahowya will move from the San Juans inter-island route to the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route. The Klahowya is replacing its sister ship, the 87-car Tillikum, so the Tillikum can go into the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility for engine repairs and its annual inspection. The 124-car Kitsap will remain on the Seattle/Bremerton route while engineers work to reschedule routine maintenance work for that vessel. On Friday, March 7, a damp area was discovered in one of the void spaces on the Hiyu. The vessel had been at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes for maintenance and steel hull repair since December and was scheduled to begin service on the San Juan Islands inter-island route on Monday, March 10. Crews put the Hiyu into the synchrolift at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 12 to conduct repairs and they will be complete by tomorrow. The 87-car Klahowya will operate until the Hiyu resumes service on the 5:25 p.m. departure from Friday Harbor. The Hiyu is scheduled to serve the San Juans inter-island route until mid-May while the system’s larger vessels are undergoing repairs and maintenance. Even though the winter and spring months see less inter-island traffic than in summer, customers should expect some sold out sailings due to the reduced capacity of the Hiyu. Complete information on schedules and service is available at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ or by calling 1-888-808-7977. WSDOT will continue to provide updates on near-term service adjustments before they occur. Ferry Chief:We are probably at limit of fare increasesposted 03/05/2008 Moseley started his job as the Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for the Ferries Division Monday, March 3, 2008. Moseley brings to the position "a lot of leadership, organizational and managerial experience to solve the challenges" facing the ferry system. While he lacks a maritime background, the WASDOT recruiter told him they had plenty of people with maritime experience but lacked staff with management and organizational expertise. "This is the ultimate career challenge," Moseley said, "To use my skills to restore the public trust." Moseley inherits an underfunded ferry system with rusted vessels. The bid opening for the first of six replacement vessels to be built in the next three to four years is March 20. "As a former city manager (15 years of service in city manager positions for three Washington State cities) I am comfortable overseeing major projects - new buildings, roadways," Moseley said."For the next three to four years we will be continually designing and putting out new vessels. Doing things well, on time and in budget is the way to build public trust." On his first day on the job, he met with legislators from the ferry-served communities. He was pleased with their agreement on the need for a long term sustainable funding stream for ferries especially for the capital program. "It will be a tough issue," he said. Moseley believes in focusing on the basics which for the ferry system is the vessels. "Ensuring the marine highway works well, and yes, cleanliness is a part of that," he said in response to a question. Islanders have often complained about the state of the restrooms on the ferries. Asked about the Sidney, B.C ferry route, Moseley said he was aware of the competing interests and the "cost the increases impose on our system. It is an issue. It's going to be a hard choice." Making the hard choices is something he is prepared to do, he said. Asked what islanders can do to help, Moseley said recognize the ferry system is going through rough times which is affecting service. Boats are being taken in and out for inspections and maintenance. He said, "We want folks to know we're working hard on keeping people notified." "I'm thrilled to be here. My passion in trying to have public service be good effective, efficient as it could possibly be," he said. Moseley will be on San Juan Island on March 12 to meet with the San Juan County Council and will be riding the ferry. He's interested in hearing from ferry riders. |
Ferry infoANACORTES FRIDAY HARBOR SCHEDULE ANACORTES/ORCAS ISLAND SCHEDULE ANACORTES/LOPEZ ISLAND SCHEDULE ANACORTES/SHAW ISLAND SCHEDULE A VESSEL STATUS PDF of all of the ferries regarding maintenance, drydock and inspection needs is available on the WSF Web site.
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WSF: Ferry customers will experience planned temporary service adjustmentsposted 03/01/2008
Anacortes/San Juan Islands MORE INFORMATION Realignment of WSDOT Ferries Division Vessel Engineering and Maintenance Programs eliminates two management positionsposted 02/28/2008 "The Ferries Division is embarking on a significant new vessel construction effort and we are committed to an effective ongoing vessel maintenance and preservation program," said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. "By making organizational changes now, we set the stage for Assistant Secretary David Moseley to tailor his workforce to best meet system needs." The realignment will create greater efficiencies in how the Ferries Division maintains the fleet and builds the six new vessels planned for the system. It also addresses a key finding in the report from the State Auditor’s Office to provide additional oversight of the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility. The move eliminates four existing management positions and creates two new positions – a Chief Naval Architect and Vessel Engineering Construction Manager. Most recent ferry deployment planposted 02/21/2008
The usual allocation for the San Juans during the winter is two 144-car vessels, one 90-car vessel and one 59-car steel electric ferry on the inter-island route.
Gregoire signs legislation authorizing new ferry constructionposted 02/19/2008
The first of the boats authorized by Senate Bill 6794 is scheduled for delivery in 14 months. The three boats will join the three 144-car boats that are in the process of being designed. The design and construction of six boats nearly simultaneously is unprecedented for the state’s ferry system. "Today we take a significant step forward in securing the safety of the ferry system for future generations," Gregoire said Feb. 14. "I requested this legislation to allow the state Department of Transportation to quickly begin building new boats to serve ferry commuters. Highway safety is my first transportation priority, and ferries are an important part of this network." In November, four of the ferry system’s Steel Electric-class vessels were taken out of service due to safety concerns about hull corrosion. This decision led to suspension of vehicle service on the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry route and to service disruptions on other routes. The new 100-vehicle ferries will begin serving the Port Townsend-Keystone route in April 2009. "I appreciate the Legislature moving quickly on this bill so we can get the ferry building process under way and get these new boats in the water as fast as possible. I especially thank the prime sponsors, Senator Mary Margaret Haugen and Representative Judy Clibborn. We have been working closely together, along with other legislators and state Transportation Secretary Hammond, to make sure we address the needs of ferry riders as quickly as possible," Gregoire said. The bill action comes on the heels of the hiring last week of a new director for the ferry system. The governor has asked the new director, David Moseley, to focus on three areas of improvement to help ensure Washington state has a healthy, cost-effective ferry system well into the future. The improvement areas are:
"We are ready to go and we’re motivated," Hammond said. "We’ve set an aggressive deadline to get the first of these ferries operating by April 2009. Now we’re ready to show people we can deliver." "This is an important first step toward fixing our neglected ferry system," said Haugen, D-Camano Island, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. "I’m looking forward to getting appropriate vessels on the Keystone-Port Townsend run as well as holding Washington State Ferries accountable for its operations and maintenance plans." The legislation also calls for the ferries to be built in Washington, with the goal of maintaining and growing the maritime building industry, providing local family-wage jobs and maintaining the shipbuilding infrastructure needed to ensure Washington has the maintenance and construction services needed to serve the ferry system into the future. "Over the next 30 years, most of the other vessels in the fleet will need to be replaced as well," said Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, chair of the House Transportation Committee. "This is the start of a new generation of boatbuilding, and it only makes sense for us to keep these jobs in Washington." SJC Councilmembers applaud Governor’s action on ferriesposted 02/19/2008
"We were initially concerned because the ferries being authorized are smaller boats," Rosenfeld said, "but in her statement, the Governor unconditionally reconfirmed her commitment to the long-planned construction of the three new 144 car ferries that we expect to provide the most benefit to San Juan County." He noted that the governor also asked the Department of Transportation to produce a plan to replace the entire ferry fleet. The Members of the San Juan County Council, in meetings with legislators in Olympia on February 6, learned of concerns that if the construction of the smaller boats was given top priority, there would be no dry-dock space available in Washington’s shipyards to begin the construction of the larger boats for years. Councilmember Kevin Ranker spoke with the Governor’s office Friday morning and confirmed that the Governor’s intent was to have one of the smaller ferries built immediately. That ferry is scheduled to be in service on the Port Townsend-Keystone route by April 2009. According to the Governor’s spokesperson, the Governor does not intend to allow the construction of the smaller boats to delay the construction of the larger ferries needed to replace the aging and ailing fleet that services San Juan County. Ranker said that after his conversation this morning, he joined Chairman Rosenfeld in being "cautiously optimistic." "I am greatly pleased to see the Governor so clearly focused on the needs of the Ferry system." Rosenfeld concluded. "The battle for the funding to rebuild the ferry system that our islands depend upon has just begun, but I am feeling much more hopeful now than I was just a few weeks ago." FAC will ask WSF to consider reducing parking feesposted 02/11/2008
FAC member John Whetten said the parking fees at Anacortes ferry terminal would have to be addressed in order for a passenger ferry to work out in the islands. Right now it is more economical for people to park on the ferries than in the lots. Reducing fees would help alleviate vehicular traffic regardless of whether a passenger ferry was brought onto the route. The members discussed if a report was necessary to back up the request. FAC member Pat McKay suggested going ahead and asking WSF to reduce the fees this year without a report. "All they can do is say no." The FAC discussed the spring schedule, which assigns the Chelan to the Sidney International sailing. The committee had proposed the smaller boat be placed on the route as opposed to the larger Elwha. Doing so frees up space for domestic traffic. Ferry Advisory Committee will meet second Monday of each monthposted 02/11/2008
The meeting focused on clarifying the role and procedures of the FAC. Sutton said, "The quicksand in which we wandered was due to lack of definition of the committee....The committee wandered into areas into which it had no business...The FAC never had autonomy. It is advisory." Rosenfeld said, "We need to make sure we speak in this county (regarding ferry issues) with one voice otherwise is is very destructive. We want to have good relationships with our state legislators and Washington State Ferries. Yes, we need to be squeaky wheels, but in a way so that they care. So that they don't have to become sarcastic about us." The FAC will meet at 8:30 a.m. on the second Monday of each month in the council's conference room in the Legislative Building. Notices will be posted on San Juan Islander and in other media. The meetings are open to the public. New leader of Washington State Ferries namedposted 02/07/2008
Gov. Chris Gregoire, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen and Rep. Judy Clibborn joined Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond in making the announcement Feb. 6 in Olympia. "I am pleased to be here today to launch a new day and a new direction for the Washington state ferry system," said Gov. Gregoire. "Over the next 18 months, I have asked Secretary Hammond and her new ferry system assistant secretary to transform the state ferry system so during these changing times it will remain the safest, most responsive, and highest caliber system in the world." The governor specified three areas of improvement she hopes will ensure that Washington state has a healthy, cost-effective ferry system well into the future. They are:
"We are committed to having a sustainable, well run state ferry system that will continue to serve the Puget Sound communities long into the future," said Hammond. "I believe David brings the organizational and management experience we need to see the Ferries Division continue its long and respected history of serving the citizens of Washington." Moseley joins WSDOT during a time of increased scrutiny after Hammond took all four of the Steel Electric class vessels out of service due to safety concerns about hull corrosion. This decision led to vehicle service being suspended on the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry route and service disruptions on other routes. "This is a big job with big challenges," Moseley said. "Working with the Governor, Secretary Hammond, Sen. Haugen, Rep. Clibborn, WSDOT and ferry system staff, ferry communities, riders and labor, I am confident we will strengthen the ferry system to provide the best service possible and begin to restore the public trust and confidence in the ferry system." Moseley has 15 years of service in city manager positions for three Washington State cities. Previously he directed the Department of Community Development, the Division of Youth Services, and the Community Accountability Program (juvenile justice) for the City of Seattle. Other experience includes Staff Director, Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives and Director, Telegraph Avenue Community Center (Oakland). David was a Presidential Appointee to the National Advisory Committee for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. He received his Masters of Divinity from Golden Gate Theological Seminary and his BA from Willamette University. Since its creation in 1951, Washington State Ferries (WSF) has become the largest ferry system in the United States and the third largest in the world, carrying more than 24 million passengers each year. WSF operates 23 vessels and 20 ferry terminals, from Point Defiance (Tacoma) in the south, to Sidney, British Columbia in the north. Thousands of commuters, employers, students, tourists and commercial shippers depend on WSF every day for safe, reliable transportation across the Sound. Cars onboard Sealth Tuesday damaged by wavesposted 02/07/2008 According to the incident report the weather was a "bit rough but not unusual", when the 90-car ferry left Lopez Island. Captain Jack Santi, who has 41 years of experience, had the deck hands short load the 90-car ferry, leaving two car lengths at the bow in case of heavy seas. When the ferry ran into the rough weather with 8 to 10-foot swells, the captain dropped the speed of the ferry. No passengers were injured according to the report. Of the six cars damaged, most involved nicks/minor fender-benders. One windshield was broken. A tow truck was required to offload the car with the damaged windshield. The delay caused by waiting for the tow truck resulted in cancellation of a round trip to Orcas Island. Council dismisses chair of Ferry Advisory Committee, reprimands memberposted 01/29/2008
The Council also voted 5-0 to issue a letter of reprimand to longtime committee member Ed Sutton of Orcas Island, while also expressing appreciation for his service. PRESS RELEASE MacLeod removed from ferry advisory committee;
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