SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — The normal Guemes Island ferry was out of service Wednesday, meaning only foot passengers could get to and from the mainland.
A smaller replacement ferry was brought in because the normal ferry is in drydock undergoing repairs. It's one of a growing number of issues that have people on the island losing faith in their ferry.
"It's very frustrating," said Guemes Island Fire Commissioner David Wertheimer.
Frustrating and, at times, frightening.
Early Sunday morning a woman on the island suffered a medical emergency. The local fire department determined she needed to be taken to the mainland for care, but it was after operating hours for the ferry, which is run by Skagit County.
In situations like that calls go out to ferry workers, asking them to come to work, but supervisors couldn't muster a full crew. A helicopter had to be called.
The patient ended up surviving, but emergency officials believe more needs to be done to ensure islanders can get the care they need when they need it.
"It can be a matter of life and death. It can be a matter of law enforcement not getting here when there's some sort of criminal activity on the island. There's all kinds of challenges that we face," said Wertheimer.
A Skagit County spokesperson told KING 5, "Skagit County does everything possible to respond to emergent after-hours needs. Our after-hours service is a courtesy service when available, and ... the ferry should not be the primary plan for emergency transport."
The Anacortes Fire Department provides advanced life saving care for the island. Fire Chief Bill Harris said he's been told there aren't enough ferry workers who live locally to consistently staff a ferry after-hours, and to expect more situations like the one on Sunday.
He also said plans for a fix are in the works.
"We've started preliminary conversations with local, private ferries to come up with a contract for service to provide more reliable, quicker service after-hours," Harris said.
Harris said he thinks that service could be in place before the end of the year.
All this comes as a 30% ferry fare hike is now being proposed, further frustrating islanders.
"All of us on Guemes, whether we live here, whether we work here, whether we play here, all of us want to work together with the county for a solution," said Becca Fong, a member of the Guemes Island Ferry Committee.
The City of Anacortes is on track to purchase a new fire rescue boat, but it likely will not be on the water for another two years.