Well, there’s another, very important real measure of how qualified mariners are for a ferry system, and that is the cost effectiveness to the communities they serve. We’ve seen this recently in Alaska, and although Washington’s tax base is not as easily affected as Alaska’s vis a vis oil prices believing that the Puget Sound areas economy will forever support unlimited spending on the ferry system is shortsighted.
Mariners from other industries would bring real life experience in making a vessel operate safely, efficiently, and reliably under a budget to the table. A culture of hiring contractors and submitting unquestioned requisitions under the guise of safety and reliability will have a cumulative effect and already has. Millions are wasted in that system just as millions were wasted in Alaska’s. When the money is flowing and the contractors and requisitions are all part of local politicians contributors all is well. When the money stops flowing, the ability, long lost in many parts of the maritime industry to MAKE THE VESSEL PAY FOR ITSELF AND IT’S MAINTENANCE will be essential to maintain service. Even if the money doesn’t stop flowing, the opportunity cost of the wasted millions has a ripple effect throughout the society it services.
I no longer live in Washington state, due in part witnessing the reckless abandon with which it wasted public money. I think the ferry systems hiring practice has some merit due to the scheduling needs and climate of the Puget Sound region. I do think having the ability to be flexible when mariners are needed at short notice or a culture of complacence has taken root in the fleet would be beneficial.