Washington State Ferries: How to report lost & found

Being the largest ferry system in the United States, Washington State Ferries has been connecting communities and enriching journeys for over 70 years. Initially known as the ‘Washington State Toll Bridge Authority’, the history of the organization dates back to the early 1950s, when the Washington state government decided to take over the privately run businesses and consolidate them into a state-run entity.

The Washington State Ferries offer stunning views of the Puget Sound, which is a network of waterways in Washington State. The ferries offer ten routes crisscrossing the Puget Sound, with twenty terminals dotting the coastline, from bustling Seattle to the idyllic San Juan Islands. Also, these ferries are more than just transportation, as they are an extension of the state’s highway system, carrying over 40,000 passengers on weekdays. In addition to that, trip planning is further made easy with the official website, which offers you the ability to view schedules, purchase tickets, and provide helpful tips to ensure a smooth journey. Some of the top routes include Anacortes – San Juan Islands, Seattle – Bainbridge Island, Mukilteo – Clinton, and Port Townsend – Coupeville.

Today, Washington State Ferries boasts a fleet of 21 ferries, carrying millions of passengers and vehicles annually. And in the midst of all that rush, precious belongings of passengers are reported as ‘lost and found’, whether it is lost baggage or an electronic gadget such as a mobile or a laptop. If you have experienced a similar fate recently, then our in-depth guide can help you navigate through it.

3 Ways to Report Lost and Found

The Washington State Ferries (WSF) have established an efficient ‘lost and found’ system to ensure that if you have misplaced something on a ferry vessel or terminal, you can seamlessly report it and even get the item returned to you in one piece.

Reporting can usually be done either over the phone or by physically visiting the customer service center of the WSF. Additionally, you can also fill out an online general inquiry or feedback form so that your request can be acted upon quickly.

Keep in mind that lost items are kept in custody for only up to 10 days, so make sure you file the ‘lost and found’ request as quickly as possible. Steps for each of the aforementioned processes have been properly described below.

Report at the WSF Office

If you want to report directly to the WSF via the organization’s primary customer service center, then be sure to follow the steps outlined below.

1. First, you need to visit the WSF customer service center at the following address: Washington State Ferries, 2901 Third Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121-3014. Alternatively, you can visit the specific terminal of the WSF at which your belonging(s) was lost, for which you can find the directory here.
2. At the customer service center, talk to a customer support representative to raise a ‘lost and found’ request.
3. Proceed to provide your personal details, such as your name and contact information. After that, provide details regarding your travel, such as the name of the ferry terminal through which you were traveling or where the item was lost, the date and time of travel, your travel route, etc.
4. Once done, disclose information regarding your lost belonging, such as its category or type, make and model, product brand, color and shape, etc.

After you have provided all the necessary details, you will be asked to wait for the investigation process to complete, following which you will be contacted for a status update.

Report by Calling This Helpline

To report your ‘lost and found’ request over the phone, you need to get in touch with WSF customer support through the recommended steps below.

1. Start by first making a phone call to the following numbers: (206) 464-6400 (local) or 888-808-7977 (toll-free). Call center operating hours are between 7 AM and 5:30 PM every day of the week.
2. Navigate through the on-call menus and select the option to report a ‘lost and found’ request.
3. Once a customer care agent connects to your call, provide your name and contact details, and then state details regarding your travel so that the exact route or location where you lost your belonging can be traced properly. Ensure that you mention the name of the ferry terminal, the date and time of travel, and so on.
4. After that, properly describe the item that you have lost so that the customer care representative can successfully register your request and the investigation process becomes easier.

Once done, you will be asked to wait for an official follow-up from the WSF authorities within a few days.

Report Online Through a Form

While there is no dedicated online portal to register a ‘lost and found’ request at the Washington State Ferries, you can still use the general inquiry or feedback form for the same.

1. Begin your journey by first visiting the official website here.
2. On the landing page, click on the ‘General Inquiry / Feedback’ option, and you will then be required to fill out an online web form.
3. Start by first describing your lost item, such as its make and model, type, color and shape, brand name, etc., in the comment box. Also, provide a little background on your travel details (including the terminal name where your item was lost).
4. After that, fill out your name, phone number, and email address. Once done, state your travel route and your travel date and time.

Finally, submit your request and wait for an official response from the WSF authorities.