Washington State Ferries came about to provide a public service to the people, owned and operated by our state government. As a public service, it is not required to make money to keep the doors open. This service has no built-in process to make a buck. The intention is to provide; not make money. Remember, it is a government agency.
The abuse and the waste are not being caused by the ferry crews. The state mandates and the Coast Guard enforces the mandates. This is how the system works: The deck-hand, oiler, engineer, chief and captain are assigned to a boat. This same boat is assigned to a terminal/zone. If the state pulls the boat away from its zone, all members follow their boat. They go with the boat. The crew is dispatched by the state to run their boat. These boats are constantly being moved around the system. The state and the Coast Guard makes that happen, not the crew running the boats. This creates travel pay.
Stop blaming the boat crew for the ferry budget and abuse. These are found within the manner how the state operates the boats. It is the state’s system, its procedure and its process that forces muddy waters.
Hate the game, not the play’a.
Bruce A. Ferguson
Snohomish
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
