Gov. Ferguson to visit San Juans in July to talk about WSF with citizens
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Gov. Ferguson to visit San Juans in July to talk about WSF with citizens

Sunday, March 9, 2025by Jeff Noedel In a Thursday news conference in Seattle, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced he intends to visit the San Juans on July 15 to talk with citizens about Washington State Ferries. He said, “We’re tentatively scheduled to have me up in the San Juan Islands I think on July 15….

Gov. Ferguson postpones hybridization of 2 largest WSF vessels – orders restoration of all routes except Sidney
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Gov. Ferguson postpones hybridization of 2 largest WSF vessels – orders restoration of all routes except Sidney

Thursday, March 6, 2025by Jeff Noedelwith video from TVW Today at Washington State Ferries’ Colman dock in Seattle, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson announced his decision to restore all WSF routes — but one — to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. To accomplish that, he announced another decision to postpone the electrification of two Jumbo Mark II vessels….

Private citizen Rick Hughes: San Juan County cannot operate passenger ferry system without federal and state assistance
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Private citizen Rick Hughes: San Juan County cannot operate passenger ferry system without federal and state assistance

County Council member Justin Paulsen: Desire in County to “make decisions with our constituents” Saturday, February 22, 2025by Jeff Noedel TVW VIDEOS ARE BELOW Support for State Rep. Greg Nance’s HB 1923, the “Mosquito Fleet Act” was almost universal at the bill’s public hearing Wednesday. Of nearly three dozen witnesses who testified, only only spoke…

ONE DAY LEFT: Community Water Taxi urges citizens to email or phone legislators in support of HB 1923
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ONE DAY LEFT: Community Water Taxi urges citizens to email or phone legislators in support of HB 1923

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY WATER TAXI We continue to shape and support legislation to help our local ferry crisis. We are asking for your support for HB1923, “The Mosquito Fleet Act”, which will provide funding for passenger transportation initiatives in San Juan County and beyond. If passed, this bill…

IMPORTANT VIDEO:  State Rep Greg Nance explains HB 1923, the ‘Mosquito Fleet Act’ – Committee hearing is Wednesday
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IMPORTANT VIDEO: State Rep Greg Nance explains HB 1923, the ‘Mosquito Fleet Act’ – Committee hearing is Wednesday

If enacted, the new law could lead to improved life for San Juans’ inter-island travelers and citizens of other seaside towns by creating more freedom of movement IMAGINE: A trip to see a doctor in Bellingham. Using a foot ferry and a ground shuttle could turn a 4-hour one-way trip to Peace Health Medical Center…

‘MIXED REACTIONS’ IN OLYMPIA THURSDAY:  San Juans citizens lobbied for improved WSF inter-island service
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‘MIXED REACTIONS’ IN OLYMPIA THURSDAY: San Juans citizens lobbied for improved WSF inter-island service

Friday, February 7, 2025by Jeff Noedel reporting from OlympiaVideo by Jeremy Tyler A SanJuans.Today VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE A delegation of two County Council members, six other San Juans citizens, and one activist from Vashon Island met with nearly a dozen State Senators and State Representatives Thursday as part of a…

FROM ARCHIVES (19 weeks ago): WSF marine engineers and oilers get 4% pay bump two years in a row – MEBA sought to close gap with other job titles on vessels
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FROM ARCHIVES (19 weeks ago): WSF marine engineers and oilers get 4% pay bump two years in a row – MEBA sought to close gap with other job titles on vessels

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: Thursday, September 26, 2024REPUBLISHED: Thursday, February 6, 2025 The union representing Washington State Ferries’ engine room crew members (Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association) and state negotiators reached an impasse in bargaining their new contract in early August. The parties entered into an interest arbitration hearing Friday, August 23. The hearing ended Friday, August 30. …

FIX OUR FERRIES DAYS IN OLYMPIA: Open letter to the Washington State Legislature 
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FIX OUR FERRIES DAYS IN OLYMPIA: Open letter to the Washington State Legislature 

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 As delegations of county and town leaders and concerned citizens converge on the Washington State Capitol campus this week to lobby for better ferry service, here are their talking points with legislators. FOLLOWING IS AN OPEN LETTER TO STATE LEADERS, SIGNED BY 29 local governments, committees, and other organizations and leaders….

BIG IDEA:  State Rep. Greg Nance describes his ‘Mosquito Fleet Act’ – a bill to be introduced soon
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BIG IDEA: State Rep. Greg Nance describes his ‘Mosquito Fleet Act’ – a bill to be introduced soon

Tuesday, February 4, 2025by Jeff Noedel A SanJuans.Today VIDEO IS BELOW State Rep. Greg Nance, 36, is a ball of energy. An out-of-the-box thinker. And a State Representative whose 23rd District serves three major WSF ferry terminals (Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, and Kingston). Nance, who is serving his first full elected term in the House, speaks…

BC FERRIES:  New Seascapes Lounge on Spirit Class vessels to offer high quality fare in quiet and comfortable setting

BC FERRIES: New Seascapes Lounge on Spirit Class vessels to offer high quality fare in quiet and comfortable setting

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 FOLLOWING IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY BC FERRIES VICTORIA, BC – Starting this summer, BC Ferries passengers can look forward to an enhanced travel experience with the launch of Seascapes, a new onboard lounge featuring a selection of food and beverage options in a quiet, more relaxed setting. Located in the former Pacific…

‘Islanders for Ferry Action’ & ‘Fix Our Ferries’ applaud Ferguson ferry priorities 

‘Islanders for Ferry Action’ & ‘Fix Our Ferries’ applaud Ferguson ferry priorities 

Thursday, January 16, 2025 FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT BY VASHON ISLAND-BASED ‘ISLANDERS FOR FERRY ACTION’ & THE ‘FIX OUR FERRIES’ COALITION Governor Bob Ferguson gets started right by focusing his budget priorities on steps to fix the state’s ferry transportation crisis. Ferguson released his 2025 – 2027 budget priorities this week, including important investment in…

A new governor piloting WSF
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A new governor piloting WSF

Saturday, January 11, 2025by Jeff Noedel In 2024, candidate Bob Ferguson promised to make the problems with Washington State Ferries a priority. He promised change. On Wednesday, in appearances in Mukilteo and then in Clinton, Governor-elect Ferguson began to make good on his promise for change — the speed of change, and the cost of…

SURPRISE!  Commerce Department gave 0,000 more to San Juans for ferry relief
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SURPRISE! Commerce Department gave $500,000 more to San Juans for ferry relief

Sunday, December 22, 2024Written Summary by Jeff NoedelVideo Directed by Jeremy Tyler An EXCLUSIVE SanJuans.Today VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE In this SanJuans.Today interview of San Juan County Council Chair Jane Fuller, Jeff Noedel poses questions for 35 minutes about how the County intends to spend $1.5 million ($500,000 more than the…

What is the mechanical issue keeping Tillikum out of service?  A capacitor.

What is the mechanical issue keeping Tillikum out of service? A capacitor.

Saturday, December 14, 2024by Jeff Noedel One of our 70 subscribers asked SanJuans.Today to find out exactly what is the “mechanical issue” with the M/V Tillikum. So we did. An hour ago, a spokesperson for Washington State Ferries was happy to shed light on the exact problem. It’s an electrical capacitor. Then we reached out…

New website for Community Water Taxi
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New website for Community Water Taxi

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Check out the new website for Community Water Taxi! Community Water Taxi is a group of concerned island residents looking for solutions to an interisland walk-on water taxi service within San Juan County when Washington State Ferries cannot perform this need. They have helped people since August 2023 get to medical…