||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||
New engine room employees in training
As I’ve mentioned many times recently, the maritime sector, like many industries both locally and internationally, is facing a shortage of experienced employees. We’re one of many marine transportation systems dealing with a staffing shortfall. While we continue to recruit new employees, we’re struggling to find qualified mariners. That’s why I’m so pleased we have four new hires currently going through a two-week training period for engine room positions.
Photo of people in classroom looking at screen with person presenting Human Resource Consultant Megan Trieschmann presents remotely during the first day of our engine room new employee orientation.
So far in 2021, we have hired and trained 23 new engine room employees, 74 new deck employees and 60 new terminal employees. Thank you to our human resources, risk management and safety departments for working hard to recruit, hire and train the employees we need to operate our schedules!
A bird’s-eye view of our ferry system
Ever wonder how our vessels and terminals look from above? Check out this drone video of our ferry system in action! See how our fleet of 21 vessels and 20 terminals serve as an extension of the state’s highway network while navigating the scenic landscapes and deep blue waters that we all enjoy while on a ferry.
Weekend of roadwork to affect Seattle traffic
If your ferry travels include a drive through Seattle this weekend, Sept. 10-13, plan for possible delays! Four different road closures will affect traffic on Interstate 5 and State Route 513/Montlake Boulevard East. Congestion may be particularly heavy around game times for the Sounders at Lumen Field and Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
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I took the 5:15 ferry from Orcas to Anacortes today and recognized some new deck employees that I’ve only begun to see recently. I want to acknowledge that they did the most efficient job of loading I can remember – and on a sailing that has lots of big trucks leaving the island for the day. I also noted some camaraderie among four of these employees laughing between Orcas and Shaw – what a pleasure. I hope that bodes well for their employment.