Labor Day Headaches Ahead For Puget Sound Ferry Travelers

SEATTLE — Travelers relying on Washington ferries as part of their Labor Day plans should brace for some speedbumps along the way, with state officials warning of long lines, staffing shortages and the likelihood of disrupted sailing schedules. Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry fleet in the United States, averaging more than 23 million passengers annually. However, rough waters may be ahead this holiday weekend.

On top of the usual long lines, the ferry system is contending with long-term crew shortages, a challenge compounded further by COVID-19 infections and exposures, officials said.

"Our dispatch team is working in overdrive to staff our vessels, with some crew needing to quarantine, with many crewmembers holding over and working beyond their scheduled shifts to keep our vessels in service," said Patty Rubstello, assistant secretary at Washington State Ferries. "In addition, like many industries, the maritime sector, both locally and internationally, is facing a shortage of experienced employees and many marine transportation systems are dealing with a staffing shortfall. We continue to recruit new employees, but we're struggling to find qualified mariners."

Here are the busiest days for ferry travel over Labor Day weekend:

• Westbound (and onto islands): Thursday - Saturday
• Eastbound (and off island): Sunday - Tuesday
• Taking early morning, late-night or walk-on sailings helps reduce the chance for long waits.

According to The Seattle Times, last weekend saw 31 sailings canceled due to crew shortages, and at least five employees tested positive for COVID-19 at work this month. The newspaper also reported that a rumored "sickout" protest among some workers this weekend, protesting Washington's vaccine mandate for state employees, could add to the strain over Labor Day.

With disruptions all but inevitable for some sailings, ferry officials have stopped taking new reservations for the Anacortes-San Juan Islands and Port Townsend - Coupeville routes between Friday and Monday. Officials suspending new bookings would help boost reliability for travelers who already have a reservation.

Before the uncertainty of the weekend arrives, several routes already have modifications in place:

• Seattle/Bainbridge, Seattle/Bremerton and Mukilteo/Clinton: Final daily round trip suspended
• Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Two-boat service instead of three on Sundays only; late-night sailings suspended
• Edmonds/Kingston: Final round trip suspended on Fridays and Saturdays only
• Port Townsend/Coupeville: One-boat service instead of two
• Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia: Suspended until 2022

For commuters who rely on ferries outside of holiday travel, the day after Labor Day will bring new headaches for the Seattle-Bremerton route. Starting Sept. 7, the run will be down a boat, as the Kaleetan goes in for repairs through mid-October. Until that work is complete, the Chimacum will run only the #2 sailings.

Tools for traveling with Washington State Ferries

• Sign up for email alerts.
• Check terminal conditions.
• Review holiday ferry schedules by route.
• Track delays and alerts on social media.