SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Gov. Jay Inslee is issuing $1.5 million in emergency funding to ferries in the San Juan Islands to fix “critical” issues within the network.

A news release from Inslee’s office on Tuesday, Sept. 17, says the San Juan route has been the least reliable in the state ferries’ system due to crewing challenges.

Recent data shows that Washington State Ferries only completed 81% of its scheduled interisland sailings compared to its regular average of 95% completion throughout the rest of its system. The interisland sailings arrived on-schedule 41% of the time.

“We have been making steady progress on restoring service throughout our ferry system, but that progress has yet to reach these islands,” Inslee said. “The unique challenges facing the Interisland route are simply untenable and create real risks for residents. Medical emergencies don’t wait until Monday. Parents need to know their children won’t be stranded on another island after school. This funding can serve as a bridge until legislators come up with longer-term funding.”

San Juan County is getting $1 million from the Department of Commerce’s Emergency Rapid Response. Those funds will allow it to contract with local water taxi providers, charter businesses and barge services when the ferry is out of service.

Inslee also authorized $500,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to help the ferries increase interisland service during weekends in the winter season.

The short-term funding will support the services through next spring. Its continuation is dependent on support for new funding during the 2025 legislative session.