Welcome to Skagit County

May 6th, 2005

FIRST FEMALE GUEMES ISLAND FERRY CAPTAIN RETIRES AFTER 15 YEARS

SKAGIT COUNTY – Skagit County’s first female ferry captain, Patricia Hoyland-Smith, has chosen to retire after fifteen years as the most senior Master of the Guemes Island Ferry.

Starting as a deckhand in 1980, she was promoted to part-time Captain in 1988, also working part-time as a deckhand. She was promoted to full-time Captain in 1994.

Earlier in her career while working as a part-time deckhand, she also worked part-time for the Anacortes School District as a bus driver, and a flagger for Skagit County.

“We appreciate Patricia’s many years of service, and wish her the best in future endeavors,” said Skagit County Public Works Director Chal Martin.