Washington State Business Name Registration

Washington State Business Name Registration

Washington State Business Name Registration

Posted on: December 12, 2011 - 11:29 am
by Admin

Millions of individuals use the Washington State Ferry system every year. Some are commuters, some are Washingtonians going on vacation and some are tourists. The question I get asked the most by my relatives when they visit is “How do the ferries work?” For those that live in Western Washington or grew up in maritime areas the answer seems simple enough. But, for those that do not live near large bodies of water that requires transportation on a regular basis using the ferry for the first time can be confusing.

Washington State Ferry Routes

There are ten Washington State Ferry Routes; Seattle/Bainbridge Island, Seattle/Bremerton, Edmonds/Kingston, Mukilteo/Clinton, Fauntleroy/Southworth, Fauntleroy/ Vashon, Southworth/Vashon, Pt. Defiance/Tahlequah, Anacortes/San Juan Island and Anacortes/Sidney, BC.

Once the destination is picked each passenger will need to know the run times of the ferry. Washington State Ferry schedules are available on their website and paper pocket schedules are available at the ferry terminal, most grocery stores and visitor centers. Leave and arrival times will be outlined on the schedule. Note that the running times change seasonally, for holidays, weekends and in some instances are effected by tides. If a passenger picks up a schedule in summer and plans to return in the winter they will need to pick up a new schedule as the times will have changed. If one of the arrival or depature times has a symbol next to it refer to the key code on the schedule. For further clarification ask a ferry employee.

Once the route is picked passengers will need to make sure they arrive in time. For boarding with a vehicle in the summer, especially on the weekends, it is a good idea to arrive 1.5 to 2.5 hours ahead of departure time. If not passengers might end up waiting in line to board the next or following scheduled ferry. In the fall and winter it is a good idea to arrive 30 minutes to an hour prior to the departure time. Walking on the ferry usually is less time restrictive. Depending on the popularity of the ferry route arriving 20 to 30 minutes before departure on weekdays and 30 to 40 minutes on weekends should suffice.

Keep in mind if there is a special event, such as the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, arriving much earlier is advised. Each ferry is named and for each terminal there are different sized ferries. For example the ferries leaving from Seattle and Anacortes hold more cars and walk on passengers than the ferries leaving from Port Townsend and Mukilteo.

Boarding the Washington State Ferry

As passengers approach the ferry terminal there will be signs indicating the ferry line as many terminals are next to side or main streets. Make sure to get into the ferry line as there is a toll free number ferry riders can call when someone cuts into the line. In the summer the lines for entering the ferry terminal may change their street route, such as in Seattle, due to the amounts of summer traffic. If you are arriving in peak season and driving onto the ferry please contact the Washington State Ferry and ask for the best route to get into the ferry line. Do not depend on the directions from their website as it might not have the seasonal route.