Washington Department of Transportation canceled multiple sailings across the Sound due to staffing shortages, according to a KIRO 7 report featuring statements from Washington Department of Transportation spokesperson Justin Fujioka. The service disruptions primarily impacted the Anacortes and San Juan Islands routes on Sunday, leaving passengers facing cancellations, standby delays, and an internet outage at the Anacortes terminal.
Why did WSDOT cancel Sunday ferry sailings across the Sound?
Staffing shortages forced the Washington Department of Transportation to implement mass schedule changes and cancelations across the Sound, KIRO 7 reported. Washington Department of Transportation spokesperson Justin Fujioka explained that ferry crew members must meet Coast Guard requirements. With staffing minimums requiring between 12 and 15 crew members depending on the vessel size, finding replacements when employees call out becomes a time-consuming process.
Despite the disruptions, WSDOT stated that Sunday’s schedule adjustments were not necessarily unusual. Instead, the department framed the changes as an effort to communicate route alterations more transparently to the traveling public.
Which ferry routes and sailings experienced disruptions?
The Anacortes and San Juan Islands route bore the brunt of the disruptions, operating with only two of its four assigned vessels in service. The #1 Chelan remained active, while the #4 Tillikum handled interisland service before taking additional traffic from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on an unscheduled 4:05 p.m. sailing. Meanwhile, the #2 Yakima went out of service following its 6:20 p.m. departure from Friday Harbor to Lopez and Anacortes, and the #3 Samish was taken out of service entirely.
The cancellations heavily targeted westbound and eastbound runs between Anacortes, Lopez Island, and Friday Harbor:
- 5:35 p.m. – Anacortes to Lopez to Friday Harbor (Westbound)
- 6:30 p.m. – Lopez to Friday Harbor (Westbound)
- 7:35 p.m. – Friday Harbor to Lopez (Eastbound)
- 8:15 p.m. – Anacortes to Lopez to Friday Harbor (Westbound)
- 8:20 p.m. – Lopez to Anacortes (Eastbound)
- 9:10 p.m. – Lopez to Friday Harbor (Westbound)
- 10:05 p.m. – Friday Harbor to Anacortes (Eastbound)
Other routes across Puget Sound maintained normal service levels, including Port Townsend/Coupeville, Edmonds/Kingston, Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, and Point Defiance/Tahlequah. The Mukilteo/Clinton, Seattle/Bainbridge, and Seattle/Bremerton routes operated with 1 of 2 boats in service.
What options do stranded passengers have for travel and refunds?
WSDOT blocked all new reservations and modifications for the affected day. Passengers booked on canceled sailings received accommodation on alternative departures on a first-come, first-served basis, while standby travelers experienced delays.
To mitigate the financial impact on disrupted travelers, WSDOT confirmed that no-show fees were waived for anyone who chose not to take the boat after their route was changed or canceled. Fujioka noted shortly before 5 p.m. that terminal employees worked to establish a service plan utilizing the two remaining vessels to move as many passengers as possible through the evening, prioritizing at least one operating boat per route.
Adding to the logistical challenges, the Anacortes Ferry Terminal suffered an internet outage on Sunday afternoon. WSDOT initially projected the network failure would persist through Monday morning, though officials could not confirm late Sunday whether the outage was still in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions About the WSDOT Ferry Disruptions
What are the minimum crew requirements for Washington State Ferries?
Vessels require staffing minimums ranging from 12 to 15 crew members, depending on the size of the boat, to satisfy Coast Guard requirements.
Which ferry terminal experienced a simultaneous internet outage?
The Anacortes Ferry Terminal suffered an internet outage on Sunday afternoon that was initially projected to last through Monday morning.
Were passengers charged penalties for missing canceled sailings?
No-show fees were waived on Sunday for travelers whose ferry routes were changed or canceled and who chose not to board.
What time was the final unscheduled departure of the evening?
The Chelan operated an unscheduled departure from Friday Harbor at 11:00 p.m.
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