SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries (WSF) sent more than two dozen service alerts and updates on social media Tuesday, highlighting ongoing issues before what it is expected to be one of the busiest weekends of ridership this summer.
"The increased traffic usually happens every weekend, but it'll probably be especially busy being the final hurrah of the summer," said spokesperson Justin Fujioka.
He said officials expect between 300,000 and 350,000 riders between Thursday and Monday.
"If you can, travel late and night and early in the morning. Those tend to be our easiest sailings to get on with minimal wait times. You can travel by walking on or biking on, there's never a wait because there's always space for walk-ons and roll-ons," he added.
On top of the anticipated holiday rush, there's concern that the combination of more people riding and ongoing staffing issues could lead to even longer wait times, delays and service interruptions.
Several routes were impacted by crew shortages on Tuesday.
"One of the biggest challenges we have is there are not enough employees, (WSF) is not paying a competitive wage," said Eric Winge, the WSF representative for the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association.
State and union negotiations are currently in arbitration after stalled contract talks.
"We're running into issues that we've never had in the past, where vessels are tying up due to interim crew shortages," Winge said. "Morale is low among engine room employees."
He said employers that offer higher wages have not seen the same staffing issues facing WSF.
The two sides will have a second meeting with an arbitrator on Wednesday.
In addition to crew shortages, ferries in and out of Southworth were impacted by a power outage around 1:25 p.m. on Tuesday.
"We were meeting up with my dad, he comes over on the ferry to pick up my son and he was delayed for... he wasn't sure how long, but it ended up being an hour," said Krista Zerby.
According to WSF, the power was restored by 2:05 p.m.
Even some of the alternatives have been removed from service; the Kitsap Fast Ferry between Seattle and Kington has been canceled indefinitely due to a mechanical failure.
On Wednesday, WSF is expected to release more information about Labor Day sailings, along with guidelines and tips for riders.