San Juan County Marine Transportation Services

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San Juan County lead a pilot project to establish marine transportation services throughout the County. These services included 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 was provided at no cost to the passengers, subsidized by the County’s emergency funding awarded by the Governor’s Office. The pilot project concluded 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 ran through June 30, 2025.

Results

Over the course of the pilot project:

  • Daily passenger service to Anacortes: Operated for 74 days and completed 148 roundtrips, providing 2,399 passengers with transportation.

  • Emergency interisland passenger service: Operated for 9 days and completed 12 roundtrips, providing 127 passengers with transportation.

  • Emergency barge service: Was not called into service but received 4 pre-registrations from local businesses.

During the ten-week pilot, San Juan County generated valuable data and information on the demand for passenger-only ferry service between the islands and the mainland, and the challenges of managing such a service as a local government. A broadly circulated community survey (210 responses) and contractor feedback helped contextualize experience with the pilot project. View the final report here.


San Juan County lead a pilot project to establish marine transportation services throughout the County. These services included 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 was provided at no cost to the passengers, subsidized by the County’s emergency funding awarded by the Governor’s Office. The pilot project concluded 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 ran through June 30, 2025.

Results

Over the course of the pilot project:

  • Daily passenger service to Anacortes: Operated for 74 days and completed 148 roundtrips, providing 2,399 passengers with transportation.

  • Emergency interisland passenger service: Operated for 9 days and completed 12 roundtrips, providing 127 passengers with transportation.

  • Emergency barge service: Was not called into service but received 4 pre-registrations from local businesses.

During the ten-week pilot, San Juan County generated valuable data and information on the demand for passenger-only ferry service between the islands and the mainland, and the challenges of managing such a service as a local government. A broadly circulated community survey (210 responses) and contractor feedback helped contextualize experience with the pilot project. View the final report here.


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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