EDMONDS, Wash. — Captain Russell Fee has spent 20 years at the helm of Washington State Ferries.
Puget Sound is his wheelhouse, and fishing season is always an adventure.
"He's right where we want to be, that little pleasure boat, so we'll see if he moves out of the way," Fee said, as he scanned the water from his perch upon the ferry Spokane.
Fishing season on Puget Sound fills the waters with boaters, many of whom don't know to "stay in their lane."
"Everybody fishing right in here is a hazard to navigation for oceangoing ships," Fee said. "Something's got to give and we have a job to do."
There are specific lanes for ferries to travel but fishermen often clog them up. They'll gather near the docks causing obstacles captains must avoid.
Ferries have the right of way and pleasure boats need to know to stay away from them.
"If I could ask anything it would be please don't cut in front of the ferry," Fee said.
One other request -- keep crab pots a few hundred yards from ferry docks because if a line gets caught in a ship's propellers, it can have serious ripple effects.
The Suquamish got tangled in one along the Mukilteo-Clinton run just last month causing considerable backups and delays.
"It could literally take a boat out of service for a few days," Fee said. "That has real impacts on commuters and communities."
Five quick blasts from a ferry's horn mean everyone on the water needs to pay attention and make sure they are not causing a problem.
Fee wants everyone to take his simple advice.
"As you see the ferry approaching, start making your maneuver to get out of our way sooner rather than later," Fee said.
If you do interfere with a state ferry you can be reported and you may get fined by the United States Coast Guard.