SURPRISE! WSF Commits Additional Crews to Inter-island Route to Ensure Service During County Fair Week

FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT RELEASED BY SAN JUAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. August 8, 2024 – San Juan County is thrilled to announce that Washington State Ferry (WSF) officials are taking concrete steps to ensure consistent inter-island service during the week of the County Fair. From August 14-18, islanders will be able to confidently use the interisland route to travel to and from San Juan Island to participate and enjoy this yearly community celebration.  

“I know I speak for all of the Council when I say how grateful I am for the creative problem- solving and strategic planning that WSF is doing on behalf of our fairgoers, livestock, and vendors,” said Council Chair Jane Fuller. “This is our largest County event of the year, and all islanders and visitors should get the chance to attend, participate, and enjoy this special 100-year anniversary.”   

John Vezina, the Director of Planning, Customer, and Government Relations for WSF, shared via email that WSF has “developed an action plan for next week we hope that ensures, to the best of our abilities, to keep the Interisland operating.” 

Beginning on Wednesday, August 14, the day before the County Fair begins, through the duration of it, WSF plans to:

• Over-crew the Tillikum
  1. Add one Ordinary-sailor and one Able-bodied sailor (Deck) on each of the vessel’s shifts
  2. Add one Oiler (Engine Room) from 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
• Reserve three rooms in Friday Harbor to ensure Interisland employees are available for service
  1. Two rooms for deck crew from Wednesday, August 14 through Saturday, August 17 (checking out on the 18th)
  2. One room of Engine Room crew from Wednesday, August 14 through Monday, August 19 (checking out the 20th) to align with engine room scheduling
• Talk with Kenmore Air about the possibility of having service available to fly crew north should it be necessary
• Coordinate with Paraclete Charters to have a vessel on standby to shuttle Deck and/or Engine Room crews to/from Anacortes and Friday Harbor
• Coordinate extra staffing for terminals for the weekend
• Work with SJC Fair staff regarding trailers and vessel capacity needs

The Anacortes terminal supervisor will also communicate any service changes to island terminals and will update WSF Watch Center Supervisors and Operations.  They will also prepare a backup schedule to ensure continuity of service if, despite the efforts above, the Tillikum is out of service.

While WSF noted that they don’t have the resources to schedule these measures every weekend, Vezina wrote, “This was a group of committed professionals thinking outside the box on ways to ensure our San Juan Island customers and their livestock – can travel with confidence next weekend.”  

The County and WSF would like to thank the Earthbox Inn for helping to secure crew accommodations, SJC Fair staff for their tireless preparations of the grounds, and the countless volunteers who donate their time, skills, and creativity to make the Fair possible.