Staffing shortages disrupts ferry service near Anacortes

ANACORTES, Wash. (AP) — Staffing shortages at Washington State Ferries resulted in 51 canceled sailings on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route between Sept. 9 and Sept. 13. A lack of Coast Guard-documented crew meant several ferries had to be taken out of service multiple times. This disrupted travel between Anacortes and the San Juan Islands, and travel between the islands. Ferries spokesperson Dana Warr said dozens of crew members were out because of COVID-19 diagnoses, quarantining and getting vaccinations. Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered all state employees, including ferry workers, to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18. State Ferries does not know how many workers have been fully vaccinated.