Captain who crashed ferry in West Seattle had long history of work troubles, records show

[@dutchweir2404]

Millions of humans living in Washington and they couldn’t find anyone to train to replace him?? Definitely something wrong with the ferry system.

[@EnlistedBombin]

Low wages... I commercial fish and I know guys that left fishing to work on the ferries and came back fishing.

[@goaheadskinit]

All I'll add to it...many who are capable trainable and wanting a job like his.

[@ronbennett7885]

Also, read some quit / retired early during 2020-21 due to various government mandates. Operating a ferry is a huge responsibility for relatively little money. Add in a bad work culture and that's a recipe for disaster. Hopefully, they've addressed those issues or otherwise they'll be a next time.

[@arnarninson4413]

McDonald’s employees get fired for less!!!

[@mpowe123]

Shitting in the deep fryer i was told is a rite of passage for all those who work. Is that true? 🤨

[@ImGettingOld911]

WHY was that ferry captain allowed to keep his job with all those work problems? Should have been fired a long time ago. Falling asleep at the wheel of a ferry boat should have gotten him fired ASAP.

[@SharonYoung-qg1zr]

So shocked how dramatic this first person was. Holy crap she’ll never be the same. Has she filed a lawsuit yet!!!

[@middleclassretiree]

You know she has/will file for emotional distress she’ll probably never be able to work or commute again

[@JDashRider]

​@user-ex8xf9fr7u She looks and sounds exactly like what you'd expect from WA state. Oh my, was so traumatized she had to pull out her camera.

[@christopherg9028]

He/she/it was so triggered, they probably had no idea what was happening until someone explained it to them. No injuries, you’ll be ok Karen. Living on an island and bitching about island life inconveniences.

[@Bofiddleydiddley]

leave it to king 5 go seek out a couple of ferries on the ferry instead of interviewing the average person they wanted a ferry point of view what happened on the ferry

[@bobbofly]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@-blahblahblah]

They look like sisters. So weird how married people end up looking similar. People used to think my ex and I were siblings.

[@MrSabas15]

LMAO "I thought we were going to die" dramatic much.

[@rogueskiss3794]

Yes and no. If you don't know how to swim OR if you have young children, your fight or flight will kick in quick, OR some people just get paralyzed and have no idea what to do.

[@godcomplex5821]

like 20 feet from the shore lmfao

[@JDashRider]

Doing 5 mph.

[@olympiabase8204]

That woman with brown hair and glasses is whats known as a Karen. In this case I am pretty sure she’s playing up her role as a victim so she can later sue for money. She took one picture and acts like she almost died…..

[@bobbofly]

The full AOC... 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄😏😏😏😏😏😏

[@kertmustapha2367]

Must be great to have a Government job. Ya can’t get fired. The person who dose need to be fired is Jay Idiotslee!

[@smar5812]

Don’t blame just WSF, blame Washington State Legislature and the Marine MEC which an over loaded with labor and refuses common sense and safety rules. Why do they allow weekend on-call employees to put in for jobs outside their living area? If you live in Tumwater and put in for on-call weekend for San Juan runs you get paid commute time, mileage and then work 12 hour shift. How can they be allowed to work and drive after a possible 2 hour commit each way and 12 hour day? What about that Coast Guard? Should that be a violation of they are mandated a 8 hour sleep period? This is what is wrong with labor and management… why are managers still allowed to bump back to same jobs they are currently negotiating labor co reacts for? Maybe we need to dismantle current legislative running of WSF… time to scale back and get rid of waste. Build bridges with tolls to Vashon over to Bremerton which was remodeled with federal funds… I don’t think I should subsidize ‘island’ lifestyle for a few my entire life as I’m approaching 60, time to stop the waste

[@donswier]

Didn't realize that *Almost Live* was back on TV. This is a very clever parody, guys☺️

[@EmpressOfExile206]

I don't get it... what are they parodying? 🤔

[@GummyBearWA]

The ferry system is hurting for employees so bad they'll take/keep anyone.

[@tenmil1]

My best friend friend got hired on last Wednesday

[@EmpressOfExile206]

When did they claim that this comment about WSF needing employees was "explaining" anything? 🤔 I'm not saying you're incorrect about WA's "elitist culture" and complete lack of respect for any community that doesn't have an average annual salary of "at least 6 figures"... But you could've just posted that as *your own* comment, instead of in a reply to this comment which it has zero relevance to 👍

[@ImGettingOld911]

Maybe if they paid a fair wage with decent benefits, and clean up their toxic culture, they wouldn't have those problems. Hello??

[@mvcharisma]

Typical government employee, the more you screw up, the more they promote you 😂

[@liannebedard5521]

Please do not tar every diligent employee for this clearly malignant situation. We are electing a new governor this year. Study up on this matter, and go to public events and ASK questions. Alert your favorite media outlets and ask them bluntly…will you be covering this town hall? Do you have someone with appropriate background to cover AND CONTINUE coverage.? Island dwellers are bearing the brunt of this malfeasance …and need all of us to educate ourselves and get loud. A new ferry fleet will take time…a new culture needs to grow now.,,

[@colbystensland2508]

Wow Where is the leadership

[@icelandviking1961]

Leadership? You know we are talking Washington state politicians.

[@ZZZGRRRN]

I knew a WA ferry official. Very cushy job where they didn't even have to leave their house for a year. Was able to work from home. When I asked what was going to happen to the captain of that horrible crash she laughed it off and said, "Probably nothing." She thought the whole thing was funny. Imagine being paid so much money and being able to sit at home and when something major like this happens you laugh it off. Apathetic people who don't do their jobs always end up allowing innocent people to be hurt. Kind of like the middle school down the street from me that has a nurse's staff person who doesn't even have a high school diploma. She lied about it and apathetic people in control never checked backgrounds. She has worked there for years. No college, no HS diploma and seeing many kids every single day. Way to go Washington. A beautiful place with some really careless, disinterested, apathetic people who ruin it for others.

[@billjohnsonseattle]

The WA State government is more concerned with limiting gun magazine capacity for law abiding gun owners, while simultaneously failing to prosecute criminals that use guns to commit crimes. TRUTH.

[@DavidHilton-c7k]

What does that have to do with ferry boat safety? Off topic!

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

The comment is about priorities and real public safety.

[@beckyhenkel7917]

I know the reason. He is the only person who can man that boat in the whole state!

[@SpotTheBorgCat]

There are too many young people getting degrees in useless arenas, instead of necessary and important jobs like a ferry Captain. It's one of the reasons the Captains, and other TRAINED crew can go unchecked. The more people available that are qualified, the more competition for the job.

[@mew1534]

@@SpotTheBorgCat true and ferry people make bank captain is like 200k and crew members average 125-150k

[@ValeriePendelton-h1o]

I used to commute by ferry frequently to Seattle. So grateful I didn't get this guy on my route. I live out of state. Hire new employees , stricter rules. Being complacent is no excuse when people depend on you.

[@deplorablechump8758]

Really? 😂

[@user-ct8my8rv9c]

Going back and forth on the same route all day is mind numbing. Complacency sets in.

[@PollyT.Pocket22]

Cole a addict

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

There are 2 people at all times on the bridge. What was the second person doing? It was obvious they were going to fast.

[@MoPoppins]

Surely, there must be someone out there who’s qualified for this job and wants this position?

[@zachogdahl210]

wsf doesn't pay well enough compared to offshore jobs to attract sailors here. combine that with a nationwide shortage of qualified mariners its going to be a struggle for some time to fill spots. lots of fresh people coming in but with the strict requirements of coast guard licensing that isn't going to help if there arent people in the lower ranks ready to move up.

[@MR-xc3sw]

Probably the wrong color or gender.

[@MoPoppins]

@@MR-xc3sw Is this a part of Seattle that’s “strictly” homogeneous?

[@MoPoppins]

@@zachogdahl210 Well, if this position is typically filled by ONE person until retirement, then maybe offer some kind of housing subsidy, since shelter often consumes much of one’s income, and actively recruit for someone who’s well-suited to the job. I’d find this job mind-numbing, but some people are wired for this-they literally only need ONE candidate who’s capable, and actually shows up for work, doesn’t fall asleep on the job, and isn’t drunk (or at the very least, isn’t so impaired from drinking that they can’t do their job).

[@kayakdog121]

No there isn't, and don't call me Shirley.

[@vapormissile]

Smell his breath?

[@user-lg1oo6ev7k]

Every good captain needs a little extra courage in a bottle to get the job done.

[@vapormissile]

@@user-lg1oo6ev7kLol, true. Poor dude is a symptom of a larger problem

[@EnlistedBombin]

Nope they took his blood lol, if the USCG gets involved they are out for blood. Its standard when things like this happen to get tox screens of the capt and anyone else on board with a license.

[@TommeoAndJuliet]

Wow, a reprimand. How effective is that policy? I suggest random alcohol testing. Hmmm, 10,000 sailings in 8 months? You sure about that math?

[@BC_Geoff]

that works out to 40 sailings a day. This is a short route too and the ferries run from 4:00am to 1am the next morning. I think 10,000 sailings in 8 months is entirely possible.

[@1angryvoter]

WSF has random drug & alcohol testing already in place.

[@tracylarson1935]

My two cents on this. Is this the crews don't feel safe when he was operating the ferry. The folks that made those statements were in fear for their, stating such reports were rebuked by the leadership for potentially tarnishing a long time Captain record. The culture of forcing other employees to keep quiet when is safety concern is raised. Each and every time I ride ferries I have gotten lucky. Luck can run out. My biggest pet peeve is the attitude about only last until it starts costing the company money. Safety is not truly practiced in it's entirety. I find it unsettling when we are hearing more and more. That event should have never happened. Period, there is never a justification to relax safety rules. Those very rules will come back bite in the ass when things go wrong.

[@Entrepreneur4Class]

Thank you for your service captain 👨‍✈️

[@user-ev7vh2is6b]

The entire ferry system needs to report to the DOT with federal oversight. The current WSF has operated literally like a corrupt mafia org for decades with huge amounts of money going to useless executives while doing nothing to meets transportation needs.

[@EmpressOfExile206]

Yeah instead of crying about 💩 that's *not gonna happen* in online comment sections... How about acting like an *American* citizen who _actually has a _*_spine_* and either A.) Actually *communicate* with your local community and see if they are in agreement in which case you can get organized as group large enough to *actually affect change* by being *visible/vocal* or B.) *Change* how you vote since history has proven _endless times_ that if you do what you've *always done,* then you'll get what you've *always got* 💯 🇺🇸

[@longblacktrain411]

2:52 free money.

[@karenwhitley7211]

And they just keep hiding his issues.

[@TKO25188]

WA resident pumping cash into Ferry system year after year, but get less and less in return each year. Our state govt and WSDOT top brass need to be held accountable and some firing need to be done.

[@1862789]

It’s unfortunate what occurred on the ferry, and the passengers’ experiences were affected. However, a different interviewee should have been considered; the individual chosen was overly dramatic.

[@yurintroubl]

Seems like a situation where raising the base salary for a Captain position about $10k /year and implementing annual safety bonuses for around that same amount (to be divided among Capt and crew) would likely save MILLIONS in the long run.

[@slhs1992]

Government employees. If they only lived in the world we live in.

[@Whoddathunk]

Glad she had time to rush down & get pics....

[@RichardJew-d9x]

Long history of work history problems??????? A STRONG UNION HELPS allow this guy to continue working. CAN'T BE FIRED

[@CAMICAZE007]

With A Paying Job you should assume self Accountable

[@steveelrino1339]

Why are two women who look like identical twins married?

[@atomicwedgie8176]

fur traders

[@roberthenderson56]

The Government and the State doesn't care about wasting our taxpayers money.

[@ThatCrazyDogLady74]

There needs to be cameras in the cockpit too.

[@993isgawd]

The ferry system has been in a tailspin for years, even before the pandemic. However this particular case of gross neglect and the outright lack of accountability over the safety and the operation of the system is egregious in its ineptitude and is plain and simple downright criminal in its waste and squandering of taxpayer dollars. But hey, what else should we expect out of Olympia? Oh that's right...calls for even MORE taxes for dis, dat and the other thang so that they can just as recklessly fiddle fart away. Boy, at least am I so SO relived at how they REALLY nailed the homeless problem by freely throwing our money endlessly at that fire pit. And all those poor, poor "unemployed" workers in Nigeria at the start of COVID; never realized how many Washingtonians called that place their home. Yes, great state of Washington...you really know how to run things (into the ground...or should I say...into the dock).

[@MrBobochow]

OPPS the dock just jumped out from nowhere ?

[@jdawg206A]

Management should get fired so this doesn't happen again

[@billryan2807]

All of his superiors should be charged as well.

[@jeffreycornish4436]

Build a bridge across the sound and to Vashon problem solved

[@crash9061]

thats too useful and takes money out of our politician pockets

[@BrianDoherty-e8s]

More random drug and alcohol testing would be a good starting point, including the bloated number of paper shufflers in the office. Running a tight ship is more than a phrase.

[@EnlistedBombin]

A top capt makes 350$ thats why they have these problems, A tender boat cap in Alaska does not fish just drives picks the fish up and deliver it at the plant makes 500$ a day min. I made 350 as engineer in training. Just like anything else in the world you get what you pay for....

[@theotheleo6830]

But you're comparing Alaska's pay rate to Washington's. Just about everything is more expensive in AK.

[@EnlistedBombin]

I get the same pay in washington waters lol Its universal for the industry. Even tugs pay better Capts on there make 800-1k a day@@theotheleo6830

[@jamessimms415]

She has a wife? Geeezzz

[@boathemian7694]

When I lived on San Juan A ferry tried pulling into Grindstone Harbor…

[@kylerhouweling1236]

Now I know why the don’t park the cars on ramp when that car that got destroyed

[@ronbennett7885]

For people working from home and rarely commute, ferry system is fine. Shouldn't rely on it though for day-to-day living. Surprised so many people do. Adding up all the hours they wait in line, time on the ferry, disembarking, etc doesn't seem worth it. Would do better to move elsewhere.

[@stephensoto2126]

1st thing's 1st. It's Seattle, what'd you think would happen...

[@robertbrouillette6767]

What else is news with the Washington State Ferry system. This has been going on for years. Along with navy ships coming out of Bremerton Navy Shipyard. Lots of work for Todd Shipyard.

[@shaggybreeks]

I cried.

[@MrWiseinheart]

😢

[@JTSunriseMusic]

Employees run the WA ferry system, needs more oversight

[@deplorablechump8758]

🤣 Put me and my wife in danger?

[@paulkuzia9236]

A unionized government employee. Not really surprising.

[@user-bt8vn3dj6o]

A joke of a report.

[@crash9061]

most hilarious is the two woman complaining about THEIR choice to live on a island! bwahaha the fascism is insane. honestly seattle needs to step up its transportation.

[@BallardBaller]

the lesbians will get a payout, and no one straight... holla washington

[@gnarmarmounts]

Karenesbos gaming for a payday from the broke ass state ferry system

[@Golfnut_2099]

Come on... I remember riding the Fauntleroy Vashon ferry as a kid on the old Steel Electrics and hoping I would get knocked down with a rough landing. The new boats must be built poorly if they cannot stand a little rough entry!!!!!

[@zachogdahl210]

the steels were riveted hull below the cardeck and would not have taken an impact at 16 kts. this was full throttle into the dock.

[@lg7014]

It's time the State gets out of the ferry business.

[@tracylarson1935]

Hell no! The ferry service is a state highway system. Can not be privatized.

[@KTurner-ny3or]

Earth share of wave calendar and paided ferry on other records.

[@PollyT.Pocket22]

Captain a drunk or on drugs 🤣