Passenger ferry service from Seattle officially suspended for the 2022 season

The Washington Utilities and Transport Commission on Thursday granted a petition filed by the operator of MV San Juan Clipper to temporarily suspended operations until May 2023.

San Juan Express, Inc. filed the petition with the UTC two weeks ago, on April 13. With its approval, SJE will eliminate their four day per week service from Seattle to Friday Harbor between May 12 and Sept. 5, as well as their three day per week service between Sept. 9 and Oct. 9.

“SJE had hoped, bolstered by a prospective fuel surcharge, to continue operations at an increased capacity of approximately a 200 passenger limit, to resume service and attain modest profitability in the 2022 sailing season,” according to the petition. “However, in late March 2022 and ironically on the same day of SJE’s pending fuel surcharge submission, the Company’s outside naval architect was informed by the United States Coast Guard that apparently due to controlling federal regulations which were revised following a major vessel fire off the coast of California, SJE’s vessel capacity would be limited to 150 passengers for the indefinite future until and unless significant design changes in the vessel were implemented.”

Those design changes relate to the vessel’s staircases, which currently have direct access to spaces in which a fire could originate.

The company stated that the regulation change came too close to the upcoming sailing season for the required modifications to be implemented and then approved by the Coast Guard. Without them, the San Juan Clipper would have to sail at roughly 60 percent of its historically allowed capacity — 150 passengers instead of 245 — which would make the route deeply unprofitable.

At a public meeting on Thursday, the UTC stated their agreement with SJE’s position, allowing the company to temporarily discontinue service from May 12, 2022 until May 11, 2023.

“[UTC] Staff agrees that allowing the petition for a one-year period allowing SJE to retrofit or procure a new vessel which can provide this service at a level which allows the company to earn a reasonable profit is in the public interest,” the Commission stated.

The Commission also noted that if an immediate need for commercial ferry service should arise, SJE must be prepared to resume service to meet that need. If the company cannot, the UTC would deem that SJE has waived interest in its commercial ferry certificate and would take steps to cancel the company’s certificate and grant authority on the route to another carrier.

UTC rules don’t define what is considered an immediate need. “Ultimately, it is up to the commissioners to decide whether there is an immediate need for commercial ferry service that would require San Juan Express, Inc. to resume service,” says UTC Communications Manager Emilie Brown. “State law does require the commission to consider the public interest when evaluating the company’s request or a need to resume service.”

Islanders concerned about the temporary service suspension can submit comments for the commissioners to consider.

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.