A draft of the Triangle Route ferry schedule would not accomplish what Vashon Fire & Rescue sees as a crucial goal.
In a letter published Monday, Vashon Fire Chief Charles Krimmert writes that proposed wait times between departures as long as 65 minutes in addition to crossing time would be "perilous" for the fire district and community.
"For the growing demand upon us and our essential engagement with the ferry system, we believe a schedule that puts more boats at the Fauntleroy and Vashon docks more regularly throughout the day a necessity," the letter states.
Washington State Ferries are trying to rework the sailing schedule for the Triangle Route - Southworth, Vashon Island, and Fauntleroy. It's the first time in 15 years Ferries has tried to rework the schedule in order to address more ridership.
State Ferries released a draft of the new sailing schedule recently. According to language within the draft, the state is looking to add a bigger ferry to thr route, and increase "dwell time" in order to allow the boats to fill.
It's that dwell time Vashon Fire seems to take issue with, and suggests the ferry system consider of a "pendulum" route. Such a schedule would create "a greater number of closely and evenly planned departures and arrivals," the letter from Fire says.
As previously reported by the Kitsap Sun, a pendulum route would create a system where ferries would arrive and depart at 30 minute intervals at all three docks. A spokesperson for the ferry system said the state considered the model, but determined it wouldn't work.
Vashon Fire says the current system of holding ferries for emergency traffic works. But a "timely return of an ambulance back to the Island does not exist." The department points out while ambulances are on the mainland, the emergency crews continue to receive calls - total call volume has already exceeded 2017 by 11 percent, according to the letter.
"With limited staff and only four ambulances, the speed of their return to the Island directly impacts our ability to safeguard the community."
Washington State Ferries is taking comments on the proposed schedule through Nov. 9.
