Washington state has some of the most beautiful navigable waterways in the world. And crossing those waterways are a slew of state and local ferries. In fact Washington state’s ferry system is one of the largest in the world. If I’m not mistaken, it may be one of the busiest specifically when looking at vehicle traffic. Many folks live on one side of a ferry, and commute to work via this system. But the ferries aren’t used just for commuting. They are also used for travelers visiting family, or those looking to explore the peninsulas and islands around the Salish Sea.
I’ve been riding these ferries for quite a while now. I absolutely love them. They’re well kept – most run generally on time (I’m looking at you Bainbridge – Seattle). While they can be hard to utilize if you don’t know how to use them. Once you become more familiar with the hidden rules of the ferry system riding on the ferries is a breeze.
But I have a serious issue with the ferries. One that has been bothering me for the last year or so – since I really noticed what was happening.
The ferry system accepts passenger traffic on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, or car. And all who board the ferry are welcome to come above deck and lounge in the galley where they can find snacks, hamburgers, pretzels, water, and… alcohol for sale.
The state runs these ferries, and the state makes a killing off of the prices they charge for food and drinks while onboard. A garbage hamburger will cost you $8. A beer can easily be $10. Or so I’ve heard… You see I’ve never ordered a beer while on the ferry. There’s a slight issue with drinking while you’re on the boat. Once the ferry docks at its destination, you HAVE to get off. They don’t let you stay around and just keep riding. You are required to disembark via whatever means you used to board.
So if you walked on, and bought a beer, no big deal. You just walk back off a little buzzed. But if you took any kind of vehicle onboard the ferry, you are now going to be getting back in your vehicle having just had a drink or two.
So, maybe you’ll say that the ferry system expects you to buy the beer when you first board the ferry, so that by the time you’re getting off it’s mostly out of your system, right? Except for many of the common commuter routes; think Edmonds – Kingston or Bainbridge – Seattle, you’re not on the ferry for more than 40 minutes. Some routes are less, and yet they still offer alcohol for sale.
So I’m sure the argument from the state – and remember the ferries are run by the State of Washington – is that its your responsibility to know when it’s safe to drink or better to not. That they offer the alcohol for those who would choose to drink it safely. And that means they expect that if you’re driving you won’t buy any. Maybe if you walked on, or if you’re a passenger in a vehicle then you could safely drink. But anyone else should just know better.
Yet in my time on the ferry I have personally observed folks drinking beers in the galley, only to watch them climb into their lifted trucks only minutes later to tear up the asphalt of downtown Seattle. No attempt was made to stop them, nobody spoke to them, nobody took down their plate.
The beer running through their system was sold to them by the state itself…
How in the hell is this happening?
