Kitsap Transit warns that it may cancel ferry sailings because of staffing issues

Kitsap Sun staff
·1 min read
A lone passenger takes in the view from the lower deck of Kitsap Transit's Carlisle II as it heads from Port Orchard to Bremerton on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
A lone passenger takes in the view from the lower deck of Kitsap Transit's Carlisle II as it heads from Port Orchard to Bremerton on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

Kitsap Transit cautioned ferry riders on Wednesday that it may need to cut sailings "in the near future" because of crew shortages. The agency said it has seen a "rising number" of crew callouts because of COVID-19 exposures and required isolation periods. Rider alerts will be issued if the agency moves to alternate schedules.

“As our workforce is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we may need to cancel trips on our ferries,” Kitsap Transit Executive Director John Clauson said in a statement. "We ask for the public’s patience and understanding.”

If local ferry service sees too many callouts, Kitsap Transit will cancel all Annapolis ferry sailings and attempt to maintain the Port Orchard ferry schedule instead. If local ferry service is reduced to one crew, the Port Orchard ferry will only operate from 5 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

Schedules and rider alerts can be found at kitsaptransit.com.

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This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Kitsap Transit warns that it may cancel ferry sailings