DATE: 04/09/26

To The Traveling Public: 

Due to vessel capacity limitations mandated by the United States Coast Guard in the last five years and the continuing absence of a viable vessel alternative to operate on the regulated route with the requisite capacity, speed, safety improvements, fuel efficiency and emissions mitigation, San Juan Express, Inc. has again petitioned and asked the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Commission) under Docket TS-260222 to allow the Company to temporarily suspend service between Seattle and Friday Harbor for the 2026 sailing season. 

San Juan Express continues to actively explore other suitable vessels for the route, including evaluating electric and hybrid vessels, but the infrastructure to support these alternatives is not yet widely available, the intervals for commissioning new vessels are protracting and the costs of implementing these at present are daunting. Moreover, grant funding opportunities to incentivize and assist in this transition are also very much in jeopardy or suspended at present. 

Also, due to longstanding federal law, we cannot operate any vessel on this route that was not constructed in the United States. There are limited opportunities to purchase or lease a Jones Act-compliant vessel that can operate cost-effectively on the certificated route. That limitation directly impacts our ability to resume service between Seattle and Friday Harbor. 

The commission will review the petition request, and make a decision at the scheduled open meeting on April 30, 2026. 

To comment to the commission on our requested suspension: 

In your comment, please reference the company name and the docket number. 

• Use the “Submit a Public Comment” feature at the UTC’s website at www.utc.wa.gov  

• Write to the Commission contact information listed below 

• Email [email protected] 

• Phone 1-888-333-9882 

Customers also have an opportunity to provide comments at this meeting either in person or remotely. If you intend to listen or participate remotely, call 360-664-1234 at least a day before the open meeting for instructions and to sign in. You should also call this number if you plan to attend in person to confirm that the case has not been rescheduled to a later open meeting date. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this open meeting, please contact the Commission at 888-333-9882 or email at [email protected].  

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission 

Post Office Box 47250 

Olympia, WA  98504-7250 

E-mail:  [email protected]  

Telephone:  1-888-333-WUTC (9882)