Ferry turned around to deliver capt. to another boat

CLINTON — An early-morning ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo was forced to turn around mid-route because of a personnel issue on Wednesday, but the problem may have been unrelated to the staffing troubles that have plagued the system recently.

The captain scheduled to steer the Kittitas at 5:10 a.m. arrived in Clinton the night before and spent the night on the Cathlamet, which was tied up at the dock.

He didn’t get off the Cathlamet before it pulled out at 4:40 a.m. and the Kittitas was without a captain.

The Cathlamet had to turn around to drop off the captain and then resumed its route, arriving in Mukilteo about 5:25 a.m., rider Pam Sipe of Clinton said.

“We had made it more than halfway across and they came over the loudspeaker and said that we had to return to Clinton due to a personnel issue,” Sipe said.

Sipe sent an email to the ferry system about the problem. Ferries chief David Moseley responded that he’s not sure why the captain didn’t get off the Kittitas in time.

“We didn’t miss any sailings but the boats were certainly behind schedule for the first several runs,” he said. “I really apologize for the disruption this caused the morning customers.”

He didn’t say in the email whether a similar situation has occurred before and couldn’t be reached for further comment.

In June, the ferry system cut back its personnel as a cost-saving measure. Since then, more than 50 sailings have been cancelled throughout the system because not enough crew members showed up for work. Twelve of the cancelled boats have been on the Mukilteo-Clinton run and six more on Port Townsend-Coupeville. Several others throughout the system have run late.

The reductions, in most cases one employee per boat, cut the number of staff per sailing to the minimum number required by the U.S. Coast Guard. If any one employee is absent and a replacement can’t be rounded up in time, the vessel can’t sail.

Wednesday’s incident did not appear to be related to the staff issue and likely could have happened any time, spokeswoman Marta Coursey said. The incident will be investigated, she said.

Staff sometimes will sleep on a boat depending on shift schedules, Coursey said. Sipe, who commutes from Clinton to her job at Onamac, a Boeing supplier on Airport Road, said she usually takes the boat at 5:10 a.m. but took the 4:40 a.m. on Wednesday because of the recent cancellations on the 5:10. Sipe was late for work because of a cancellation Monday morning.

She sent an email response to Moseley’s response on Wednesday.

“I think we can all agree that this is not acceptable,” she said. “I appreciate your apology, however, what I really am asking for is a solution.”

Moseley is scheduled to attend a public meeting on Thursday in Clinton to discuss the issues facing the system, including the staff problems.

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.

Meeting planned

The ferry system has scheduled a meeting for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 18341 Highway 525 in Freeland, to discuss issues facing the ferry system, including recent staff problems. For more information go to http://tinyurl.com/89kf228.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.