WSF: system "in recovery" but crew and vessel shortages keep cancellations occurring

Washington State Ferries officials told participants at a public meeting that the ferry system is on a path to recovery but remains constrained by chronic crew shortages and an aging fleet.

"Right now, the system is in recovery," Assistant Secretary Steve Nevi said, adding that a recent seven‑day stretch without crew‑related cancellations showed progress but that "one canceled sailing is too many." John Vizzina, director of planning, said cancellations fell from 1,128 sailings in January–April last year to 493 in the same period this year, and that percent of completed sailings has improved toward the agency's restoration target.

Officials explained why a single missing crew member can force a vessel to cancel a sailing. "All 14 crew members have an essential function they need to perform if there's an emergency," Steve Nevi said, describing Coast Guard‑set emergency staffing requirements. The panel said new legislative funding will allow WSF to staff one additional deck and one additional engine crew member above Coast Guard minimums beginning in July to build resiliency.

The meeting also covered how WSF chooses which routes to restore first. Vizzina said the agency will prioritize routes that are fully dependent on ferry service, such as San Juan Islands and the Fauntleroy‑Vashon‑Southworth triangle, and then move to other corridors as vessels and crews become available. He added that some routes remain on reduced service because of vessel capacity and crew distribution.

Panelists urged riders to be patient and to direct constructive feedback to crews and leadership. "The crew members are the ones who are getting you where you're going," Vizzina said, asking residents to acknowledge frontline staff while WSF works to add vessels and hires.