Weekly update
Read the weekly update from WSDOT Deputy Secretary Steve Nevey, head of Washington State Ferries.
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Each January, there is a special edition recapping the previous year. View the 2024 Year in Review (PDF 670KB).
Here is the latest edition of the WSF Weekly Update:
Oct. 2, 2025
A message from Steve
Suquamish had an unexpected engine failure Sunday afternoon, taking it out of service on our Mukilteo/Clinton route. Unfortunately, this was not only a disruption on our busiest vehicle route but also happened during one of the largest motorcycle events in the region. We know this was very frustrating for many of our customers who experienced long waits. Following our Service Contingency Plan, we relocated several ferries on Monday and Tuesday. Unfortunately, these boat moves reduce our vehicle capacity on four routes:
- Mukilteo/Clinton: 124-car Kitsap in for 144-car Suquamish.
- Seattle/Bremerton: 90-car Sealth in for Kitsap.
- Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: 64-car Salish in for Sealth. The route is using its two-boat schedule with Salish as a third, unscheduled bonus boat.
- Port Townsend/Coupeville: One-boat service begins two weeks earlier than scheduled.
These reductions are the result of having only three ferries available as backups. While we are proud to have restored full 18-boat domestic service, with a 21-vessel fleet, unplanned repairs can ripple across multiple routes. We’re able to keep service levels as high as possible with our aging vessels thanks to the dedication of our engine room crews and the skilled employees at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility, who work hard to keep these boats running. We will keep providing the most service possible with the ferries we have as we await the arrival of new boats. We know there will be more unexpected vessel problems. That’s why we have a Service Contingency Plan (PDF 832KB). It helps our customers know what to expect when the unexpected happens.
Share your feedback at online community meetings
Join us for one of two online community meetings on Tuesday, Oct. 14, where the public can ask questions and share feedback. Each session starts with a short presentation on this summer’s increased service, our new vessel build program and recent updates at WSF. Most of the time will be devoted to answering your questions. Prior registration is required via Zoom to attend the 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. meetings. You can also email us your questions or comments in advance. If you can’t join live, recordings will be available on our community participation page on Wednesday, Oct. 15, the day after the meetings
WSF takes the spotlight on TVW’s “The Impact”
Last night, our ferry system was featured on TVW’s news program “The Impact.” I spoke with Executive Producer Mike McClanahan in a Q&A and provided updates on our routes, vessels and service improvements. “The Impact” shows viewers how decisions in Olympia affect daily life. This conversation gave us a chance to share how we’re working to keep our ferries safe, reliable, and efficient for everyone who depends on them.
Open house for WSDOT-funded program supporting future mariners
We’re excited to help create more opportunities for future mariners through the Youth Marine Foundation’s new WAVE Seafarer Readiness Program. Partially funded by WSDOT, the program offers free training to adults who face social or financial challenges. It prepares people for good jobs with Washington State Ferries and the wider maritime industry. Those interested are encouraged to attend an open house at noon Friday, Oct. 17, at 820 East D St. in Tacoma. You can tour the training vessel Doolin-Rogers, meet the instructors and see how this program is opening doors to careers on the water. Youth Marine Foundation is one of nine organizations that recently received WSDOT grants to help grow the state’s transportation workforce.
Sketching the spirit of ferry travel
Local artist Maria Coryell-Martin recently spent a week on our Port Townsend/Coupeville route as part of an artist residency. She made watercolor and ink sketches capturing daily life on a ferry. Maria rode on both Salish and Kennewick, talking with passengers and crew to inspire her artwork. She also led a sketching demo, giving other artists a chance to draw the vessel. Moments like this show that our ferries are more than just a way to travel, they are regional icons that spark creativity and bring people together.
Sailing stats for week of Sept. 22-28
For the week of Sept. 22-28, we completed 99.2% of our 3,113 scheduled sailings. This figure is separate from on-time performance. Of the 25 cancellations, 20 were due to vessel-related issues, four for schedule resets (when a boat is so far behind schedule, we cancel a sailing to get it back on schedule, providing predictability for customers) and one because of other miscellaneous reasons.
For comparison, during a similar week last year (Sept. 23-29, 2024), we completed 98.5% of our 2,797 scheduled sailings. Of the 47 cancellations that week, 16 were due to vessel-related issues, 14 for schedule resets, eight because of weather, eight due to other miscellaneous reasons and one due to an emergency.
Customer kudos
“I wanted to send a note to express my greatest appreciation. On September 19th we traveled the route from Anacortes to Friday Harbour around 11:30 on the Yakima vessel. I inadvertently left my cellphone behind and didn’t realize till we had left the ferry. Some kind and honest person recovered it and placed it securely at the office in Anacortes where we were able to retrieve it. My most sincere thank (yous) go out to everyone involved. Your efforts will be talked about for a long time. We found your ferry personal friendly and the route efficient. Will be back.”
-Anacortes/San Juan Islands route customer
Steve Nevey
WSDOT Deputy Secretary for Washington State Ferries
Slow down – lives are on the line.
Excessive speed was a top cause of work zone collisions in 2024.
Phone down, eyes up.
Work zones need our undivided attention.
It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.
96% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.