Washington State Ferries Launches New Recruitment Effort

SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries is kicking off a new recruitment effort this week, hoping to attract new workers to help staff vessels' engine rooms along multiple routes. The agency said a worldwide shortage of mariners continues to pose challenges, reducing service and extending wait times for riders across the region.

To help attract new applicants, Washington State Ferries is teaming up with the Seattle Maritime Academy, a school where roughly a quarter of its current engine workers graduated. Ferry officials said they hope the partnership will help spread the word to prospective workers and set them on the path to a long-term, well-paying career.

"Engine room employees are a part of ferry operations that a lot of people don't know exist, yet they're absolutely vital to ensure the largest ferry system in North America can safely serve the people of Washington," said Nicole McIntosh, WSF's chief of staff. "The jobs can pay more than $60 per hour and once on board there is a clear career path."

The academy's new Ballard campus is home to classrooms, labs, and a library to help train future marine engineers, along with a state-of-the-art ferry simulator to provide hands-on experience.

"There's huge demand for merchant mariners, not just at Washington State Ferries, but across the entire industry," said Dale Bateman, Seattle Maritime Academy's associate dean. "We offer a fast-track program to train the next generation of mariners. Students in the marine engineering technology unit can graduate and be on the water in as little as a year."

The school hosts public tours and information sessions on the second Tuesday of every month, where workers can learn more about beginning the process, with the next scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 12. More information is available on the academy's website.