Reliable Washington State Ferries service depends on closing the crew gap

Washington state’s plan to transition the biggest ferry system in the United States to hybrid-electric by 2040 by purchasing new boats and undertaking complex conversions with several of our existing ferries is ambitious and laudable. No one disputes that we are in dire need of new ferries. Six of 21 ferries were pulled from service in recent weeks, and the converted hybrid electric ferry Wenatchee has been pulled for repairs several times since being put into service in July.

Washington State Ferries has been struggling with reliability for years, and some important steps have been taken towards righting the ship. Gov. Bob Ferguson prioritized restoration of reliable ferry service and has made changes and investments that make good on campaign promises. In addition to committing to building new ferries, the governor elevated the director of the ferry system to a cabinet-level position, and postponed taking the M/V Tacoma and Puyallup ferries out of service for conversion so as not to disrupt ferry service during the busy summer season and with the World Cup coming to Seattle.

But what’s driving unreliable ferry service today isn’t just too few boats on the water. Cancelled and delayed sailings are more often the result of a lack of licensed engine room crew required by Coast Guard regulations, and also a backlog of maintenance and repairs needed for a fleet of boats that, on average, are more than 50 years old. It is marine engineers who are responsible for operating, repairing and maintaining all the systems that keep ferries running smoothly. Few passengers are aware of this highly skilled workforce because they are out of sight below the car deck in the engine room, but they are essential to safe, reliable ferry service.

More in the article.