11/11/2005: "Ferry News: Extra Service & Smoking Ban"

Washington State Ferries will help families spend the Thanksgiving holidays together by adding extra service during peak travel times this November, and they are working on how the passage of I-901, the tough new ban on smoking will be implemented on ferries and in the terminals.

Extra Sailings For The San Juans

"Thanksgiving is not typically one of our heaviest traffic holidays, but we still expect it to be heavier than usual over the four day weekend. We have planned to provide enough service everywhere to ensure our customers can go where they need to go—either to work, to Thanksgiving dinner or shopping," says Director of Marine Operations Traci Brewer-Rogstad, and adds that "We have worked within our budget to provide the maximum amount of service."

On Thanksgiving (Wednesday, November 23), the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will operate on a Saturday schedule to provide extra evening sailings for customers traveling to the Islands for the holiday. On Thursday, the route will provide regular weekday service.

Smoking Ban

"We face a variety of issues," admits Director of Operations Traci Brewer-Rogstad. "While it is fairly easy to eliminate smoking on vessels for the public, the terminals are a different matter."

"The ban requires nonsmoking zones of 25-feet near any public doorway, open window or ventilation system," continues Brewer-Rogstad. "Twenty-five feet at some locations either has our customers swimming in Puget Sound or blocking walkways. There are too many points of access at some terminals."

Washington State Ferries is working with the Attorney General's office to determine the intent of the law, which will help the agency plan their implementation.

"Washington State Ferries wants to implement this change but we want to do it right," says Brewer-Rogstad. "Most of our customers are very enthusiastic about the new ban. However, we are aware of the adjustment some customers on our longer ferry routes will have to make and we want to give them as much notice before implementation as possible."

WSF promises to keep customers informed as the agency determines the best way to implement the smoking ban.