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Post by Barnacle on Mar 16, 2015 15:47:29 GMT -8
Well, this weekend's "ferry-palooza" is over for me. The reservation system in the San Juans is working great, as far as I can tell. I love being able to show up for a ferry less than an hour before it departs and be assured that I will get on. WSF has completely re-configured the marshaling area at Anacortes. They re-numbered the lanes. Finally, they are now all sequential instead of the old system which had (2) #1 lanes, (2) #3 lanes, (2) #4 lanes, and (2) #5 lanes. That was the way it was for as long as I can remember, and now they are number 1 thru 16, I think. In doing that, they have moved which lanes the cars stage in. It used to be Lopez was in the far right lanes (Lanes 1). Friday Harbor now seems to have Lanes 1 and 2. Orcas now seems to be Lanes 12 & 13 for reserved vehicles, which is much closer to the left side of the lot. So, it's all different now, and I'm not exactly sure which lanes are for which island anymore except Orcas. Barnacle, or EGFleet, can perhaps fill us in on this one. I'm glad the reservations system is working well for you. It seems to be causing angst for the locals, and there have been challenges. As for the lane assignments, I do believe they're flexible as to their purpose. The last diagram I saw was Version 5, and I suspect we'll be onto a new Version by next week unless they use 17, 18 and 19 for Sidney staging, and that won't work in the Summer unless they have two boats making Sidney trips which they haven't done since 1997. In fact, it won't work at all if they have a large amount of traffic bound for Sidney. Hmm... |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 16, 2015 20:46:23 GMT -8
What is the problem with the locals?? Can you still get on if you dont have a reservation?? I would assume so if it's not full. They have had two boats before on the Sidney run??
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 17, 2015 4:44:36 GMT -8
What is the problem with the locals?? Can you still get on if you dont have a reservation?? I would assume so if it's not full. They have had two boats before on the Sidney run?? Actually, I'd kind of like to know what the issue is with the locals, too. Because, as you just eluded to, if the ferry isn't full, you'll get on even if you don't have a reservation, as they leave a certain number of spaces available for standbys, medical priorities, etc. I suspect the new reservation system may be more of a hassle for the terminal staff, as there is now more to do, more to process, and that takes time. Add to that, the logistics of some of the island terminals makes it more difficult to separate the traffic into reserved vs. non-reserved lanes. Yes, there used to be two boats on the Sidney run in the summers, years ago. I remember a season when Elwha would do the morning run and Evergreen would do the afternoon run. I don't think they've had that scenario in, what, 15 or so years? |
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Post by EGfleet on Mar 17, 2015 6:57:01 GMT -8
What is the problem with the locals?? Can you still get on if you dont have a reservation?? I would assume so if it's not full. They have had two boats before on the Sidney run?? Actually, I'd kind of like to know what the issue is with the locals, too. Because, as you just eluded to, if the ferry isn't full, you'll get on even if you don't have a reservation, as they leave a certain number of spaces available for standbys, medical priorities, etc. I suspect the new reservation system may be more of a hassle for the terminal staff, as there is now more to do, more to process, and that takes time. Add to that, the logistics of some of the island terminals makes it more difficult to separate the traffic into reserved vs. non-reserved lanes. Yes, there used to be two boats on the Sidney run in the summers, years ago. I remember a season when Elwha would do the morning run and Evergreen would do the afternoon run. I don't think they've had that scenario in, what, 15 or so years? FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- No reservations are necessary at Friday Harbor's Hungry Clam Restaurant, but you sure will need one to get here. The State Ferry System is now requiring reservations for trips between Friday Harbor and Anacortes. Only 10% of the slots are left open for everybody else, stranding a lot of the locals. "This is our highway," said owner Lisa Brown. "It's not Seattle where you have another road." "It just isn't working," added customer Penny Fitzgerald The new reservation system was designed to cut down on long lines, and uncertainty over whether there was space on board the boats. That may work for tourists, but those living in the islands say it has had the opposite effect on them. "I have reservations about the reservation system," said Greg Hertel. Hertel is a port commissioner and says the ferries are filling up so fast, people aren't able to make last minute runs to the mainland for things like doctor appointments. "By the time you take out the emergency medical run on the ferries, you're looking at room for five or six cars. Even if the full 10 % is there in the summer on a big boat, that's 14 whole cars," he said. Before the system went into effect in January, people would line up at the ferry docks in Anacortes and Friday Harbor and wait, often for many hours. No one was thrilled with that system, but it did mean thousands of tourists would mill about downtown Friday Harbor and stop by local businesses. At the Hungry Clam they now worry more eyes will be on the boat schedule than the menu. "It pisses me off," said Brown. "They don't care about local businesses." Ferry officials say they worked for two years to make sure the maximum amount of space possible was left for locals. They maintain the new system gives people much more control over their plans than before. A spokesperson also told KING 5 News there is a three-tiered system where people have opportunities to make reservations right up to 48 hours before they sail. Officials say reserved space is a better option than the guaranteed long waits of the past. "I take a lot of ferries," said passenger Vicki Bouchard, as she waited to board the afternoon sailing to Anacortes. "This works well. I get on faster. I get off faster." But many remain unconvinced. Back at the Hungry Clam they're nervously awaiting the onslaught of tourist season. "I have a friend who was airlifted off the island. Her family couldn't get on the ferry. Someone had to give up their reservation for them," said Brown. "Just wait for summer." |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 17, 2015 7:12:24 GMT -8
But really how hard is it for locals to make reservations then??? It's not like BC Ferries where it costs extra!
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 17, 2015 7:15:12 GMT -8
Just a note to folks following this topic: I moved the posts relating to new reservations in the San Juans to this thread. I'm afraid I got us a bit off-topic in the Weekend Randoms thread, but this is good conversation, so let's keep it going here on the public side of the boards. Thanks!
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 17, 2015 7:25:08 GMT -8
But really how hard is it for locals to make reservations then??? It's not like BC Ferries where it costs extra! It's not hard to make reservations, but I think I am starting to see the issue here after reading the article EGFleet posted, and thinking about it a little more. With the reservation system, the article stated it is now a lot harder to make last-minute plans that involve taking a ferry because so many people are using the reservation system. With only 10% of the vessel's space available for standby, you could show up at the terminal and have a 2-sailing or more wait now because there just aren't many standby spaces left on the vessels. It's not like before, where if you show up and can't get on a particular sailing, you know you will be on the next one. If you plan ahead and make a reservation in advance, as I did for last weekend, the system works well. But, I can see where it would impede last minute "game-day" travel. And, I can also see where it would impact local businesses now that people aren't stuck in line for hours with nothing to do but browse the local retail and food venues. I'm still in favour of the reservation system, particularly as traffic levels to the islands is increasing. Even in the winter, traffic is way up from what it used to be. Gone are the days of traffic levels sharply declining after Labor Day weekend. It seems to be busy almost year-round now. That, in and of itself, necessitates the reservation system. Things are not like they used to be, and I imagine that is a bit tough for long-time islanders to adjust to. This is just another step in that process, and people don't always react well to change, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. This is a new paradigm that everyone is going to have to get used to, and the reservation system probably will need some tweaking to get it right. |
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Post by Barnacle on Mar 17, 2015 15:26:21 GMT -8
What is the problem with the locals?? Can you still get on if you dont have a reservation?? I would assume so if it's not full. They have had two boats before on the Sidney run?? Yes, Karl. In the summer of 1997 the Elwha made the morning trip and the Evergreen State made the afternoon trip. The Evergreen departed before the Elwha arrived, so they staged the afternoon Sidney traffic in the Sidney compound. The locals all dislike the inconvenience of making a reservation, coupled with 90% of the boat potentially being booked out two days in advance. If the locals need to make an urgent (but not emergency) trip to the mainland at the last minute in summer, they anticipate that they will be stuck getting to or from the islands. |
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 17, 2015 18:37:33 GMT -8
Yes, Karl. In the summer of 1997 the Elwha made the morning trip and the Evergreen State made the afternoon trip. The Evergreen departed before the Elwha arrived, so they staged the afternoon Sidney traffic in the Sidney compound. And, for those of you who would like to see what that schedule looked like, I have a copy of the 1996 Summer Schedule, which was very similar:   Elwha and Evergreen were there that summer, for sure. I'm not certain about the other vessels. It's been awhile, and I have forgotten what was up there that summer. Nisqually was probably the inter-island vessel, and it is highly likely Kaleetan was there, too. Hyak or Chelan may have been the 5th vessel - not sure. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 17, 2015 20:17:56 GMT -8
wow that schedule is neat to look at. So they dident have a non stop sailing to or from Sidney??? It looks like the international sailing stopped at Orcas too. What is with the late night sailing at 12:20am from Anacortes arriving back to Anacortes at 3:25am?? wow that is late. That is not much down time if that same boat leaves at 4:30am lol!
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 18, 2015 4:30:15 GMT -8
wow that schedule is neat to look at. So they dident have a non stop sailing to or from Sidney??? It looks like the international sailing stopped at Orcas too. What is with the late night sailing at 12:20am from Anacortes arriving back to Anacortes at 3:25am?? wow that is late. That is not much down time if that same boat leaves at 4:30am lol! The vessel doing the 12:20am sailing, arriving back at Anacortes at 3:25am, would not have been the same vessel doing the 4:30am sailing to Friday Harbor. This vessel would have been the one that started its day at 8:45am. |
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Post by northwesterner on Mar 18, 2015 12:19:18 GMT -8
Yes, Karl. In the summer of 1997 the Elwha made the morning trip and the Evergreen State made the afternoon trip. The Evergreen departed before the Elwha arrived, so they staged the afternoon Sidney traffic in the Sidney compound. And, for those of you who would like to see what that schedule looked like, I have a copy of the 1996 Summer Schedule, which was very similar: Elwha and Evergreen were there that summer, for sure. I'm not certain about the other vessels. It's been awhile, and I have forgotten what was up there that summer. Nisqually was probably the inter-island vessel, and it is highly likely Kaleetan was there, too. Hyak or Chelan may have been the 5th vessel - not sure. The Hyak and Yakima were both holding down the fort at Edmonds Kingston in 1996... must have been the Chelan. |
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 18, 2015 12:35:35 GMT -8
And, for those of you who would like to see what that schedule looked like, I have a copy of the 1996 Summer Schedule, which was very similar: Elwha and Evergreen were there that summer, for sure. I'm not certain about the other vessels. It's been awhile, and I have forgotten what was up there that summer. Nisqually was probably the inter-island vessel, and it is highly likely Kaleetan was there, too. Hyak or Chelan may have been the 5th vessel - not sure. The Hyak and Yakima were both holding down the fort at Edmonds Kingston in 1996... must have been the Chelan. I'm also leaning towards Chelan, because I distinctly remember Chelan being the first ferry departing Orcas in summer of 1997, and if you look at this schedule, and track that vessel's position throughout the day, you'll see that most of its runs are direct, or with few stops, and in the evening, it does the ANA-LOP-SHW loop trip, so it makes sense that it would be a smaller vessel, and not a Super. |
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 18, 2015 17:02:08 GMT -8
I edited that 1996 summer schedule with the ferries I believe were on the route that season, and their positions. Elwha, Evergreen, and Nisqually were easy to figure out and plug in. I think I put Chelan in the correct position, if indeed, Chelan was up there that summer. And, I think Kaleetan was the #5 boat, but I'm not entirely sure on that one, either. I put Chelan down as doing the 9:00pm sailing out of Anacortes, but it's possible that Elwha could have operated that sailing, since both would have been in port at that time. The reason I favored Chelan for that time slot is because it's day started a little later than Elwha's, so I figured Elwha's day might have been done by then. And, in 1996, Kaleetan would have been in a pre-refurbished condition. That didn't happen until 1999. Also, Chelan would have still had a single car deck in 1996. They didn't add the upper ramps on her until 2001.  |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 18, 2015 17:24:52 GMT -8
so being that the Evergreen departed at 2:00pm for Sidney and the Elwha arrived from Sidney at 3:00pm I see why there were 2 different boats on the run. I guess that was because the Sidney boat also stopped at Orcas too?? Why was there no non stop sailing and how come they stopped the Orcas sailing?? Not enough traffic?? Maybe now with BC Ferries rising fares they might need more sailings on the international run, lol!
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Post by northwesterner on Mar 18, 2015 19:20:35 GMT -8
I edited that 1996 summer schedule with the ferries I believe were on the route that season, and their positions. Elwha, Evergreen, and Nisqually were easy to figure out and plug in. I think I put Chelan in the correct position, if indeed, Chelan was up there that summer. And, I think Kaleetan was the #5 boat, but I'm not entirely sure on that one, either. I put Chelan down as doing the 9:00pm sailing out of Anacortes, but it's possible that Elwha could have operated that sailing, since both would have been in port at that time. The reason I favored Chelan for that time slot is because it's day started a little later than Elwha's, so I figured Elwha's day might have been done by then. And, in 1996, Kaleetan would have been in a pre-refurbished condition. That didn't happen until 1999. Also, Chelan would have still had a single car deck in 1996. They didn't add the upper ramps on her until 2001. Also note that when the Evergreen was scheduled for Anacortes - Friday Harbor non-stop trips (typically during the off season) she was scheduled for like an 80 minute trip time, unlike the 65 minute time for other vessels. |
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 18, 2015 20:01:08 GMT -8
I remember seeing the E State in Sidney a few times! I wonder how long she took to sail from Friday Harbor to Sidney?
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 18, 2015 20:07:16 GMT -8
Also note that when the Evergreen was scheduled for Anacortes - Friday Harbor non-stop trips (typically during the off season) she was scheduled for like an 80 minute trip time, unlike the 65 minute time for other vessels. Yeah, that also made it easier for me to figure out which sailings were Evergreen - that, and knowing she was the 2:00pm sailing to Sidney. |
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 18, 2015 20:09:02 GMT -8
I remember seeing the E State in Sidney a few times! I wonder how long she took to sail from Friday Harbor to Sidney? Umm...Take a look at the schedule I just posted. Pay particular attention to the afternoon sailing to Sidney. That will answer your question. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 18, 2015 20:37:56 GMT -8
ah yeah that's right about 90 mins! Cause the other boats usually take about 1hr 15mins I think!
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Post by Barnacle on Mar 19, 2015 5:51:23 GMT -8
And, for those of you who would like to see what that schedule looked like, I have a copy of the 1996 Summer Schedule, which was very similar: Elwha and Evergreen were there that summer, for sure. I'm not certain about the other vessels. It's been awhile, and I have forgotten what was up there that summer. Nisqually was probably the inter-island vessel, and it is highly likely Kaleetan was there, too. Hyak or Chelan may have been the 5th vessel - not sure. The Hyak and Yakima were both holding down the fort at Edmonds Kingston in 1996... must have been the Chelan. IIRC, in 1997, the #1 boat was the Elwha, #3 was the Evergreen State, the Chelan and Kaleetan (in its original configuration) were #2 and #5 in some configuration (I think the Kaleetan was #5), and the Nisqually was the inter-island boat (#4). Your labeling of the boats is really close, except for a couple of things that can't be extrapolated from the schedule. (I found the copy of the Summer 1997 schedule that lived in my traffic vest that season, and I color-coded it because I would frequently do overtime on the other boats.) In 1997, the Elwha and the Kaleetan alternated the 0020 and 0430 sailings nightly so that each boat would have some down time in the evenings. Chelan's 16-hour workday started at about 0500 and ended at 2100. The Elwha made the 2100 sailing, unless the Kaleetan was running so late (being limited to a service speed of about 14 knots, she was the Overtime Princess that year) that the Elwha would, if not running all night, make the late 2020 to FH to reset the schedule by sending the Kaleetan out at 2100 instead because she was slated to be the overnight boat that night. So like I say, you were close.  |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 19, 2015 12:38:44 GMT -8
how come the Sidney boat at 12pm stopped at Lopez too?? I just noticed that on that old schedule! I thought Orcas was the only other stop on the international run!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 19, 2015 12:47:39 GMT -8
how come the Sidney boat at 12pm stopped at Lopez too?? I just noticed that on that old schedule! I thought Orcas was the only other stop on the international run! Here's my best answer: "Because she did" Having said that, I am surprised that the International Run would stop at Lopez. But some Sidney traffic was likely bound for tourism destinations on Lopez, so I suppose that route-stop made sense at the time. |
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Post by Kahloke on Jun 1, 2015 5:00:10 GMT -8
New Seattle Times article visits the San Juan reservation system several months after it was introduced. It's getting mixed reviews - some islanders like it, others don't - but I do believe a reservation system up there is the right thing to do. And, as someone who has used it a few times, I can attest to the fact that I like not having to show up at a terminal hours and hours in advance to make a particular sailing. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/san-juan-ferry-reservations-both-buoyant-and-bumpy/[/font] |
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Post by princessofvanfan on Jun 1, 2015 11:26:43 GMT -8
Interesting. We'll be taking our first trip on this route in August (Anacortes-Sidney). Really looking forward to it.  |
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