The Washington State Department of Transportation announced a realignment of two key programs – Vessel Engineering and Vessel Maintenance.
This step is part of Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond’s commitment to improve the organizational structure and performance of the ferry system. The two programs have become one under the direction of Paul Brodeur, the new Ferries Division Director of Vessel Maintenance, Preservation and Engineering. Paul previously served as the Ferries Division Director of Maintenance and Preservation.
The realignment will create greater efficiencies in how the Ferries Division maintains the fleet and builds the six new vessels planned for the system. It also addresses a key finding in the report from the State Auditor’s Office to provide additional oversight of the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility. The move eliminates four existing management positions and creates two new positions – a Chief Naval Architect and Vessel Engineering Construction Manager.