Welcome to Ferryageddon.
If you were thinking of sailing to Whidbey Island in July, maybe step back, take a deep breath (from underneath your mask) and just say no.
Otherwise, get ready for deep, deep frustration.
A day after revealing several workers have tested positive for COVID-19, Washington State Ferries officials announced a reduction in service on two of the busiest routes.
The changes will be in place every weekend in July.
The Mukilteo/Clinton route, which is the busiest in the system, and the Edmonds/Kingston route, will both run just one boat, and not the normal two, on weekends.
In a news blurb released Wednesday, it was stated the move was “due to a shortage of available crew during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The dates affected are:
July 4-5
July 11-12
July 18-19
July 25-26
On those weekends, only the #1 sailings on the schedule will be used.
Washington State Ferries officials ask those wishing to sail to “plan ahead by checking schedules online and expect long waits if driving onto a ferry over each weekend, particularly during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.”
The State could hire temporary workers. They could pay overtime. The suites in the office could earn their pay by managing staff. Maybe they can fill in on the boat duties. There are skilled people in the private sector. They seem to look for all the reasons why they can’t do something. Versus looking for the reasons that they can do.
To work on the boats, you need a TWIC card and a coast guard certification. Few temporary workers would qualify.