By: Brian Vail
Our ferry crews and terminal staff respond to many emergencies on any given day. They show courage and calm under pressure. Whether they’re rescuing people from the water, helping passengers with medical issues or supporting first responders in urgent situations at our terminals or on our vessels, our teams always put safety and our customers first.
Each incident is a reminder that our ferry employees are trained and ready to act fast. They handle extreme situations by quickly deciding what’s needed, launching a rescue boat, getting people out of the water, bringing them back to the ferry and working with local emergency services to help those in trouble.
The following highlights some of the more significant moments since we last recognized our Life Ring Award winners in October 2024 when quick thinking and teamwork saved lives. The staff members involved in these rescues have all been presented with a Life Ring Award to recognize their efforts. This list of 18 events demonstrates the very best of Washington State Ferries.
Emergencies in the water
Our crews regularly save people who have fallen in the water. Especially in colder months, time is vital in these rescues.
Oct. 16, 2025
Wenatchee crew
Just after leaving Seattle, our crew saw an overturned kayak in Elliott Bay. They immediately launched a rescue boat and pulled two people from the water. The kayakers were cold but not hypothermic. Our crew brought them aboard the ferry and gave them blankets and hand warmers.
Sept. 4, 2025
Tillikum crew
As the Tillikum approached Lopez Island, the crew coordinated by phone with the sheriff’s department about a medical emergency on a boat in Blind Bay. After landing, they quickly launched the rescue boat. They reached the scene at the same time as the sheriff’s boat Knot Guilty. The crew stood by to support responders until the sheriff’s department and EMS released them.
July 26, 2025
Salish crew
While arriving in Coupeville, the Salish was alerted that two kayakers needed help near Admiralty Head. The tide was pulling the kayakers away from shore and they were struggling in the current. After docking, the crew launched a rescue boat and picked up one kayaker. The other was able to reach shore on their own and was already being checked by Whidbey EMS. The rescued kayaker was taken to the public boat launch, where EMS was waiting to help.
July 10, 2025
Kaleetan crew
The crew noticed Kitsap Transit’s fast ferry Lady Swift sitting still in Rich Passage. They then spotted a person in the water clinging to a daymark. As the Lady Swift crew members pulled the kayaker from the water, our team launched a rescue boat. This allowed for a quick and smooth transfer to shore on Bainbridge Island, where the local fire department took care of the kayaker.
June 17, 2025
Spokane crew
A car fleeing police broke through a gate and drove into the water at the Edmonds terminal. Terminal staff and law enforcement reacted quickly, helping two people who escaped the vehicle. As the Spokane approached the dock, its crew slowed the boat, stopped safely and launched a rescue boat that found and save a woman. Another person was rescued by the Kingston Water Rescue Unit. The Spokane crew returned to Kingston to safely unload and reload passengers.
June 13, 2025
Walla Walla crew
The U.S. Coast Guard got reports of people in the water near Blake Island after their canoe swamped. They asked Walla Walla to assist, so our crew quickly changed course. They launched a rescue boat and pulled two individuals from the water. Along with passengers with medical training, our crew members treated them for signs of hypothermia. Emergency medical staff met the ferry in Bremerton, checked the people and released them.
May 18, 2025
Walla Walla crew
A passenger reported seeing a kayaker in distress and out of their kayak near Rich Passage. The crew launched a rescue boat and reached the person. They brought the kayaker safely to land, where the person said they didn’t need more help.
March 30, 2025
Issaquah crew
Upon seeing a person in the water, our crew members quickly launched a rescue boat, bringing the person on board. Our Anacortes terminal staff contacted emergency medical services so that help would be ready when the Issaquah arrived.
Oct. 26, 2024
Oct. 27, 2024
Kitsap crew
The Kitsap crew saved lives on back-to-back days. First, they pulled a woman out of the water near the dock at Mukilteo with help from local police and fire departments. Then the same crew launched a rescue boat to save a distressed kayaker near Mukilteo.
 |
| Able-Bodied Seafarers Anthony Adams and Allegra Archer help with the transfer of the kayakers from our rescue boat to Seattle Fire Department's Fireboat 1 for medical checks and transport back to land. Photo courtesy Mike Caudle. |
Medical emergencies
Our ferry crews, terminal staff and Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility workers saved many people with medical emergencies on our boats and at our terminals. Their quick actions saved lives this past year.
June 16, 2025
Kittitas crew
Shortly after the ferry arrived at Vashon, crew members found an unresponsive passenger in the men’s restroom. They immediately called for help, and more crew arrived to assess the situation and declare a medical emergency. First aid supplies were brought to the scene, and the crew worked together to provide care. The crew provided the medication naloxone, or Narcan, which helped the passenger wake up and breathe normally. The crew moved the passenger to a wheelchair and stayed with him until paramedics arrived and took over.
Thank you to everyone for their incredible work saving lives at a moment’s notice. When people are in danger in and around the Salish Sea, Washington State Ferries is ready to respond if called on to help.
June 13, 2025
Issaquah crew
While sailing near Orcas Island, the engine room reported a medical emergency. Crew members responded with medical equipment. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, EMS was dispatched to meet the vessel upon its expedited return to Orcas. The crew assisted with oxygen administration and communications. The patient was safely transferred to the care of Orcas Fire Department and transported for further medical evaluation.
May 24, 2025
Colman Dock terminal staff
Staff at Colman Dock responded to a collapsed person inside the terminal. A staff member retrieved the AED and helped revive the person. EMS arrived to further support the person.
May 17, 2025
Colman Dock terminal staff
Terminal staff recognized a person in distress and took steps to help. EMS was called and arrived in time to begin treatment. The person was stabilized and transported to the hospital.
April 8, 2025
Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility staff
With the Chelan docked at our Eagle Harbor facility, a person fell and suffered a head injury. The staff worked together to give care and support EMS and local police.
 |
| Colman Dock security guard Luke Goergen was presented a Life Ring Award by Seattle Terminal Supervisor Matthew Perry in July. Luke was one of five people recognized for their work in a medical emergency at Colman Dock. |
March 23, 2025
Walla Walla crew
During offloading, a crew member saw a driver who wasn’t responding and opened the car door to check on him. He had a weak pulse and was barely breathing. Offloading was stopped and the crew brought down an automated external defibrillator and trauma kit. After 15 minutes, they got a pulse and EMS took the man to the hospital. Following 11 days in the hospital, the man and his wife surprised our crew with a visit to say thank you.
March 2, 2025
Colman Dock terminal staff
Upon finding a person unresponsive in the Colman Dock women’s restroom, our staff assessed the situation and administered Narcan. The staff coordinated with emergency services and ensured that the person was stabilized before first responders arrived.
Feb. 4, 2025
Colman Dock terminal staff
Our terminal staff received a call about a person in distress on the elevated pedestrian walkway. Staff assisted in giving the person Narcan and keeping the individual alert until emergency responders arrived.
No comments:
WSDOT comment policy
Post a Comment