Growing service, happy riders: midday Water Taxi service to Vashon

On June 27, 2024, riders sailed from Vashon Island to downtown Seattle carrying the Vashon flag on the M/V Sally Fox, named for the celebrated advocate of passenger-only ferry service to Vashon. The trip recognized the historic introduction of midday water taxi service to the island, which officially began on July 1, 2024. The expansion…

Capt. Dan Krehbiel leaning out of the wheelhouse of the M/V Sally Fox with the banner "sailing into retirement" below

‘First Mariner’ Dan Krehbiel is leaving the helm

Growing up in Alaska, Hawai’i and the Northwest, Dan Krehbiel has been on or near the water most of his life. While working at his parent’s fuel depot in Juneau, Alaska, he thought he could “make a living on the water.” After decades of piloting tour boats and fast ferries from Trinidad and the Caribbean…

Smooth sailing: 15 years of the King County Water Taxi

In 2009: This year marks the 15th anniversary of King County providing passenger-only service to the residents of Vashon Island and the beginning of the King County Water Taxi. “The water taxi is a vital part of our regional transit system,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The enthusiastic response to regular midday service for…

Mike Sudduth, left, plays a game of cribbage with Richard Franklin, right, as another game of cribbage takes place at the table next to them aboard the MV Sally Fox. Sudduth donated the specially inscribed boards as a way to honor his friend, Sally Fox, who was an advocate for passenger-only ferry service to Vashon Island and the vessel's namesake.

The story behind MV Sally Fox’s cribbage boards

Regulars on King County Water Taxi’s Vashon Island route know them well: glossy wooden cribbage boards stationed at one of four seating areas in the lower passenger deck of the MV Sally Fox. On almost every run, enthusiasts of the popular card-and-board game can be seen huddled around one of these game boards, studying their…