During a recent government meeting, board members discussed several key resolutions concerning the maintenance and operational efficiency of the ferry fleet.
The first resolution, which received unanimous approval, authorized the awarding of a contract for drydocking and repairs for the vessel \"Finest\" to Pacific Fisherman Shipyard in Seattle. The contract, valued at $1,213,600, is part of routine maintenance to ensure compliance with Coast Guard regulations. The vessel is currently undergoing emergency repairs, and this approval will facilitate future maintenance planning.
The second resolution addressed concerns raised by Argosy Cruises regarding excessive wake issues affecting their operations. The board approved a resolution confirming actions taken by the executive director to engage Blue Cascade, a consulting firm, to conduct a wake analysis. This analysis aims to identify the sources of wake disturbances in Seattle's waterfront, which Argosy claims are impacting their ability to load and unload passengers safely. King County Water Taxi will contribute 50% of the costs associated with this study.
Board members expressed varying opinions on the necessity of the wake analysis, with some questioning the focus on their vessels when larger ships also contribute to wake issues. However, the executive director emphasized the importance of gathering data to either confirm or refute the claims made by Argosy, which could help mitigate potential operational impacts.
In addition to these resolutions, the meeting included updates on the current status of the ferry fleet, which has been experiencing an unusual number of maintenance issues. The executive director reported that several vessels are back in operation following repairs, while others are scheduled for maintenance to ensure they meet operational standards.
Overall, the meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to maintain the ferry fleet's reliability while addressing operational challenges posed by external factors such as wake disturbances.