FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth down to one boat tonight

Washington State Ferries ran three boats on the Triangle Route for much of the day, attempting to accommodate Vashon Island’s biggest event of the summer, the Strawberry Festival, but a crew shortage has struck again and the run will be down to one boat – here’s the alert WSF sent:

Due to a shortage of crew, the 3rd vessel on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth has tied up for the evening. The #2 Kitsap will go out of service following the 5:20 p.m. sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon, which puts the route on one-boat service for the remainder of the day. Customers can expect long waits and delays due to the disruption.

For customers trying to reach Vashon Island, your alternate route is Point Defiance/Tahlequah.

Due to the Vashon Strawberry Festival, we’ll be prioritizing service between Vashon and Fauntleroy. It is highly recommended for Southworth/Fauntleroy customers use Seattle/Bremerton as an alternate route.

8 Replies to "FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth down to one boat tonight"

  • Erik July 20, 2024 (5:08 pm)

    So much for being in “recovery” mode….

  • Rob July 20, 2024 (7:14 pm)

    Like I said  before  what good is a new dock if you can’t solve the crew problems. 

    • Derek July 21, 2024 (10:09 am)

      Pay higher wages usually fixes

  • MM July 20, 2024 (7:44 pm)

    Unbelievable incompetence – losing one boat could be understood, but losing two boats on the service is ridiculous. Someone needs to be fired…

    • Derp July 20, 2024 (9:04 pm)

      They are already short on staff,  do you think firing someone would be a good idea. 

      • MM July 21, 2024 (9:32 am)

        Absolutely! Whoever is in charge of resourcing, scheduling and communication. I think the 100+ cars and family’s waiting for 3+ hours in Vashon until 10/11pm would agree. If people are told there is a risk of going down to one ferry on the busiest weekend on the island then they make alternative arrangements or leave earlier or don’t Travel.  If people are told there are 3 boats running to solve the recent problems then someone has got things badly wrong and needs a new career.

  • DAG July 20, 2024 (9:43 pm)

    multiple someones needs to be HIRED. 

  • Tom July 22, 2024 (8:59 am)

    WSF has been running the show for 70+ years, and they still haven’t figured out staffing issues. If the airlines didn’t have standby crews… I just hope that there is someone in the ‘office’ that has figured out how to get some of that infrastructure $$ from the Biden bipartisan bill!

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