10/05/2026
The Fauntleroy/Vashon Island/Southworth triangle route is out of service. Read more at
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/washington-state-ferries-routes-out-of-service/
This morning, 23 engine room employees called in sick. Every employee qualified to fill those positions has declined to fill them and keep the ferries running. All of the employees calling in sick, and declining to fill those vacancies, are represented by the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) who represent engine room employees. The ferries cannot run without these roles being filled. As a result, 13 of our 18 ferries are not in service. We understand how disruptive this is to thousands of Washingtonians. We expect our employees to return to work as soon as possible.
The employees who work in the engine room play a vital role in providing WSF’s safe service, which is why Staff Chief Engineers have a base salary of $157,000, and can make more than $350,000 a year with overtime, as well as annual sick and vacation leave, and retirement accrual.
All WSF vessels are fully staffed at the beginning of every service day at U.S. Coast Guard required levels. When an employee calls in sick, request dispatchers work to fill the position as quickly as possible. When those positions aren’t filled, the boat cannot sail, which is what we’re experiencing today across 13 of the 18 vessels currently in service.
