Washington State Ferries suspended or reduced service across much of its system Monday after 23 engine-room employees called in sick and no qualified workers stepped in to cover their shifts. The agency said 13 of its 18 vessels were out of service. The cancellations disrupted commutes and other trips, with limited alternatives for people who depend on ferries to reach island communities. The Mukilteo–Clinton route, the system’s busiest for vehicles, operated with one boat instead of its usual two, prompting waits of at least two hours. The Vashon–Tahlequah route ran with delays, while other routes faced cancellations or full suspensions. The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association represents the engine-room workers. Washington State Ferries said the vessels could not sail without those positions filled and acknowledged the impact on passengers. The agency expected employees to return as soon as possible. Whether Monday’s absences were coordinated remains unclear. The ferry system did not confirm that they were, and MEBA Secretary-Treasurer Roland “Rex” Rexha said the union had not organized the action. State law bars ferry employees from striking, although workers may use sick leave when they are unable to work. The disruption exposed how vulnerable ferry service is to a shortage of qualified crew. Each vessel needs three or four marine engineers, and safety requirements limit the agency’s ability to replace absent workers at short notice. Washington’s ferry system has faced staffing problems for years and relies heavily on overtime to keep vessels operating. The callouts came amid continuing concerns about pay and workload among engine-room staff. In June, MEBA raised concerns about staffing levels, overtime and differences in pay between engine-room employees and comparable workers above deck. The union reported that a survey found more than 55% of engine-room personnel had low morale and over 60% were likely to retire or seek work elsewhere. MEBA sought a 20% raise for its members’ 2027–29 contract. An arbitration decision set no increase for 2027, with the option to reopen wage talks in 2028. Rexha told The Seattle Times the Monday cancellations were not related to contract negotiations. Gov. Bob Ferguson said Monday that he expected every vessel on every route to be operating by the first sailings Tuesday. Most service returned that day, though some delays remained. The brief shutdown showed that adding or replacing boats alone cannot ensure reliable service if the ferry system lacks enough trained workers to operate and maintain them.