In the News: Two Private Companies Offer Vessel Relief Proposals

Two private companies have two, quite different, proposals for offering WSF some relief to its vessel shortage. Stabbert Maritime, a Seattle-based shipyard with a second facility in Anacortes, is proposing to refurbish two now-retired WSF vessels and then lease them back to WSF for 15 years. Meanwhile, Switch Maritime out of San Francisco, is showing off its emissions-free hydrogen powered ferries, specifically for the SJI routes! Full article from Washington State Standard, “Shipyard pitches bringing back retired state ferries to bolster strained service”.

"'I’m all for giving it a really good hearing," San Juan County Councilmember Justin Paulsen said. "We are at a point where we have to really do some creative thinking," was Paulsen’s takeaway. "We need to progress forward in a faster way."