San Juan County Marine Transportation Services

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San Juan County is leading a pilot project to establish marine transportation services throughout the County. These services include emergency barge and foot-passenger transportation during disruptions to Washington State Ferry (WSF) service as well as travel to and from the mainland (Anacortes) on a daily basis. Each of these services is provided at no cost to the passengers, subsidized by the County’s emergency funding awarded by the Governor’s Office. The pilot project will conclude on June 30, 2025.

Project Background

In August of 2024, Council issued a request to the Governor’s Office for ‘executive relief’ from ferry service disruptions, providing a 180-day proposal. This request was granted in September when WA State Governor Jay Inslee traveled to Friday Harbor to announce an award of $1.5 million from the Department of Commerce’s Emergency Rapid Response fund, with a contract finalized in November.

In the winter of 2024/2025, County staff developed Requests for Proposals for three services and outlined the scope of work. In the Spring of 2025, Council reviewed the proposals, selected operators, and executed the contracts. Services became available the week of April 14, 2025 and will run through June 30, 2025.

Available Services

San Juan County has contracted with three local companies to provide:

  • Daily Passenger Service Between Anacortes and San Juan County – San Juan Safarisis providing seven-day a week, twice daily passenger-only service to Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Downtown Anacortes via Cap Sante Marina. With one trip in the morning and another in the evening, this service is structured to provide complete, round-trip service for passengers.
  • Emergency Interisland Passenger Service – Outer Island Excursions will provide emergency passenger-only service to Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands when the WSF interisland boat experiences service disruptions. These services will be available when the WSF interisland boat is out-of-service and/or service restoration time is either unknown or estimated at greater than four hours. County services will begin within two hours of the WSF disruption. During WSF service disruptions, operators will provide two service runs – one in the morning and one in the evening in an effort to provide complete, round-trip service for passengers. If the WSF service disruption occurs after 1:00pm, the operator will provide one trip through the route.
  • Emergency Barge Service – Pintail Marine will provide emergency barge service for essential service providers between Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, Shaw, and Anacortes when WSF experiences service disruptions. These services will be available when either WSF service is estimated to be out-of-service for greater than 24 hours or when the WSF mainland service is reduced to fewer than a 2-boat schedule. This service is provided for the purpose of meeting critical health and life/ safety needs.


San Juan County is leading a pilot project to establish marine transportation services throughout the County. These services include emergency barge and foot-passenger transportation during disruptions to Washington State Ferry (WSF) service as well as travel to and from the mainland (Anacortes) on a daily basis. Each of these services is provided at no cost to the passengers, subsidized by the County’s emergency funding awarded by the Governor’s Office. The pilot project will conclude on June 30, 2025.

Project Background

In August of 2024, Council issued a request to the Governor’s Office for ‘executive relief’ from ferry service disruptions, providing a 180-day proposal. This request was granted in September when WA State Governor Jay Inslee traveled to Friday Harbor to announce an award of $1.5 million from the Department of Commerce’s Emergency Rapid Response fund, with a contract finalized in November.

In the winter of 2024/2025, County staff developed Requests for Proposals for three services and outlined the scope of work. In the Spring of 2025, Council reviewed the proposals, selected operators, and executed the contracts. Services became available the week of April 14, 2025 and will run through June 30, 2025.

Available Services

San Juan County has contracted with three local companies to provide:

  • Daily Passenger Service Between Anacortes and San Juan County – San Juan Safarisis providing seven-day a week, twice daily passenger-only service to Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Downtown Anacortes via Cap Sante Marina. With one trip in the morning and another in the evening, this service is structured to provide complete, round-trip service for passengers.
  • Emergency Interisland Passenger Service – Outer Island Excursions will provide emergency passenger-only service to Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands when the WSF interisland boat experiences service disruptions. These services will be available when the WSF interisland boat is out-of-service and/or service restoration time is either unknown or estimated at greater than four hours. County services will begin within two hours of the WSF disruption. During WSF service disruptions, operators will provide two service runs – one in the morning and one in the evening in an effort to provide complete, round-trip service for passengers. If the WSF service disruption occurs after 1:00pm, the operator will provide one trip through the route.
  • Emergency Barge Service – Pintail Marine will provide emergency barge service for essential service providers between Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, Shaw, and Anacortes when WSF experiences service disruptions. These services will be available when either WSF service is estimated to be out-of-service for greater than 24 hours or when the WSF mainland service is reduced to fewer than a 2-boat schedule. This service is provided for the purpose of meeting critical health and life/ safety needs.


Pilot Project Feedback

Do you have feedback to share about the County's marine transportation services? We want to hear from YOU!  Please add your comments to the box below. 

NOTE: The box says 'ask a question' but please use this space for comments and feedback. Our team will do our best to get back to you if your comment warrants a response, but specific questions about the services are best sent to the operators (San Juan Safaris, Outer Island Excursions, or Pintail Marine). If your question is for the County, please send it to communications@sanjuancountywa.gov. 

Your comments will be compiled and provided to the County Council, to the operators if necessary, and others involved in the pilot project. Your input will help shape any future efforts in locally managed marine transportation services. 

Thank you for sharing with us! 




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