State ferries slash service due to staff shortages

  • The Associated Press
  • Friday, October 15, 2021 1:30am
  • News

The Associated Press

SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries is slashing its scheduled service starting this weekend because of chronic staff shortages that have impacted the boat service, a condition that some workers who haven’t been vaccinated warned will only get worse.

The ferry service said online that the cutbacks, which will begin Saturday, are expected to be temporary and are being implemented to “provide more predictable and reliable travel.”

The Port Townsend-Coupeville route will continue with one-boat service with vehicle reservations as normal for this time of year, the ferry system said.

Other changes are:

• Seattle-Bainbridge, Edmonds/Kingston and Mukilteo/Clinton: One-boat service instead of two.

• Fauntleroy-Vashon/Southworth: Two-boat schedule instead of three.

• Anacortes-San Juan Islands: Three-boat schedule instead of four with temporary suspension of vehicle reservations.

• Seattle-Bremerton: Continued reduced one-boat service instead of two.

• Point Defiance-Tahlequah: Continued one-boat service as normal.

Last Friday, upwards of 150 ferry sailings were canceled, and that number rose to roughly 170 on Saturday.

With the state’s vaccine mandate taking effect this Monday, about 200 Washington ferry employees have yet to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.

In addition to staffing challenges, the ferry agency said other factors that led to the service reductions include an aging workforce; COVID-19 cases; and quarantines imposed by those who come into contact with a possibly infected person.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve worked hard to maintain reliable service, completing the vast majority of sailings,” Patty Rubstello, head of Washington Ferries, said in the statement. “However, to better reflect the service we can currently provide and to minimize last-minute cancelations due to a lack of crew, we made this difficult decision to adjust our schedules.”

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading