By
Justin Merrigan |
Washington State Ferries (WSF), the largest ferry system in the USA, is a vital lifeline for communities across Puget Sound, connecting 20 terminals and serving nearly 24 million passengers annually. However, as its vessels have spent decades in service, maintaining their reliability and safety has become increasingly critical.
Many of WSF’s vessels were built in the 1960s and 1970s, designed to serve a growing region with its expanding transport needs. They have endured countless crossings and operating hours, and wear and tear caused by maritime conditions. The consequences of aging vessels are multifaceted. Increased maintenance requirements mean more frequent and longer service disruptions, affecting commuters, tourists and freight alike.
WSF’s assistant secretary and executive director Steve Nevey says that despite these formidable challenges, which were aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the agency is on the road to recovery following several difficult years. WSF has been proactive in addressing the issues posed by aging vessels. Recognising the need for a modernised fleet, it initiated a vessel replacement programme aimed at retiring older ferries and introducing new and more efficient vessels.
“In May 2024, the System Electrification Program issued the first two volumes of an invitation for bid for up to five new hybrid-electric vessels,” says Nevey. “This launched a rigorous pre-qualification process that ensures shipyards are ready to construct our vessel design on our timeline.
“Later this year, we will release the technical package, allowing the pre-qualified shipyards to submit their bids. We expect the process to conclude in early 2025 when we will award one or two contracts. Selected shipbuilders will need about a year for production planning, and around two years to construct the first vessels. Depending on bid prices, we expect to take delivery of two vessels in 2028, two additional ferries in 2029, and a fifth in 2030.”
Wenatchee will be WSF’s first plug-in ferry when it re-enters service after being converted to hybrid-electric propulsion at Vigor’s Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle, Washington
A change in state law allowing out-of-state shipyards to submit bids has enabled a faster and more competitive procurement process. “We are grateful for the support of the governor’s office and the legislature in passing EHB 1846 in 2023, which provides the tools required to acquire the ferries that we need so badly,” says Nevey.
“This bill allows for a faster and more competitive process to select shipbuilders, including a nationwide invitation for bid and the potential for WSF to issue up to two contracts at once. These contracting laws only apply to the construction of new hybrid-electric vessels. We believe we have strong competition. More than 10 shipyards around the country have expressed interest. This will help us get the best value for our tax dollars.”
In addition to meeting its sustainability and electrification goals, WSF aims to be the ferry system of the future. “We must become an employer of choice,” says Nevey. “To meet our staffing demands on the vessels, in the terminals, in the maintenance team, and throughout the organisation we must prioritise recruitment, training and retention of our invaluable staff.”
For WSF, success depends on its ability to recruit, train and retain staff and preserve and build vessels to reach the required 26 ferries to fully operate the system. Currently WSF has staffing and availability for 15 vessels.
“We will support and implement strategic principles to ensure that our culture promotes a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment for all employees and community partners,” says Nevey. “Some examples of initiatives aimed at building our workforce of the future include internal development programmes, external scholarship opportunities, educational collaborations, community engagement and job fairs and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”
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