Disrupted ferry travel: it’s complicated

A life dependent on ferry travel is never simple, but these days are increasingly problematic for those dependent on the state ferry system. Announced this week: “Washington State Ferries (WSF) will temporarily operate reduced sailing schedules on most routes beginning this Saturday, October 16. The change will help offer more predictable and reliable service system-wide in the face of crewing shortages due to a global shortage of mariners that has been worsened by the pandemic.” Missing from this statement is the fact that Governor Jay Inslee has issued a mandate that all state employees submit to his vaccination directive or lose their jobs. Reports suggest the likelihood of “accommodation” for employees seeking religious or medical exemptions to the mandate is very slim. Among those at risk of losing his job is the state’s highest paid employee, WSU football coach Nick Rolovich. As of Monday, October 18 the impact of non-compliance with the Inslee mandate will become far more clear, with immediate impacts in areas ranging from medical and mental health care to law enforcement and public education.