Reliable Washington State Ferries service depends on closing the crew gap

By: Eric Winge

Outlets: Washington State Standard

Published: January 19, 2026

Words: 665

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

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Washington state’s plan to transition the biggest ferry system in the United States to hybrid-electric by 2040 by purchasing new boats and undertaking complex conversions with several of our existing ferries is ambitious and laudable. No one disputes that we are in dire need of new ferries. Six of 21 ferries were pulled from service in recent weeks, and the converted hybrid electric ferry Wenatchee has been pulled for repairs several times since being …

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