‘Serious disruptions’ to Washington State Ferries routes across Puget Sound

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1. 1h ago

   Washington State Ferries Hit by Major Cancellations

   Washington State Ferries suffered severe disruptions across Puget Sound routes on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, after engine room workers engaged in a mass sick-out. The staffing shortage forced cancellations and reduced service, leaving 72% of the fleet out of operation and 13 of 18 vessels disrupted during the morning commute. Entire routes were suspended or limited to a single boat while management attempted to fill vacant slots. Officials criticized the job action as an improper method for addressing wage concerns.

   Why it matters

   Washington State Ferries provides vital transportation links across Puget Sound, making sudden reductions in sailings a major crisis for regional commuters. The service disruptions paralyzed Monday morning travel as hundreds of passengers faced unexpected cancellations. The job action directly targets management over compensation disputes.

   What is confirmed

   • Washington State Ferries experienced major service disruptions and cancellations on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, due to engine room workers calling in sick.
   • Thirteen of 18 vessels were disrupted due to crew shortages Monday morning, leaving 72 percent of the fleet not in operation.
   • Ferguson stated that an engineer sick-out caused the disruptions and expected ferry service to resume the following day, noting it was not the way to address those issues.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The reported sick-out by marine engineers is driven by a demand for a 20 percent raise.

   What to watch next

   • Resumption of regular ferry service across Puget Sound routes
   • Official statements from Washington State Ferries regarding staffing levels and wage negotiations
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. KING5.com — Engine room 'sick-out' over wages causes major Washington State Ferries cancellations, disruptions
   2. MyNorthwest.com — Washington State Ferries cancel major sailings amid apparent engineer sick-out
   3. The Seattle Times — ‘Serious disruptions’ to Washington State Ferries routes across Puget Sound
   4. KOMO — Crew call-outs cause major disruptions to state ferry service, 72% not in operation
   5. West Seattle Blog... — ROAD WORK, WEATHER, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Monday info, with Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route out of service (updated)
   6. kuow.org — Ferry service snarled across Puget Sound region amid engine worker sick out
   7. MyNorthwest.com — ‘Not the way to address those issues’: Ferguson expects ferry service to resume tomorrow amid apparent engineer sick-out
   8. www.kuow.org — Ferry service snarled across Puget Sound region amid engine worker sick out - KUOW ,Seattle's NPR station
   9. hoodline.com — Washington State Ferries Cancellations Tied to Engineer Sick-Out
   10. keyw.com — Washington Ferries Warn of Major Service Disruptions Monday - Today's Best Music,98.3 The Key Radio ,Tri-....
   11. www.yahoo.com — South Sound ferries canceled. ‘Major service disruptions ...
   12. www.spokesman.com — Washington State Ferries routes out of service - The Spokesman-Review
   confidence 95%