When I saw the above painting, I thought that as funny as it seems, it may be easier to ride on a whale than our too often non- existent ferry. Today, the First Sunday of Advent we do not have morning Mass due to ferry breakdown- or was it crew? This is the 2nd Sunday this month with no Mass.
Ever since I came to our islands, over 35 years ago, I have heard complaints about the state ferry system. But in the old days, at least it ran! Now days, one never knows if one is getting off the island, or able to return home when away.
Last week in our local weekly island paper, there was a great guest column in which the writers stated that our WA State Ferry System should be call the WA State Excuse System. With the"retirement" of many ferry hands during the Covid days, we have been lacking full crews. If one member is missing, the boat stays in the dock.
I have stopped voting for local state officials, as they have never in my many years here, paid attention to the plight of islanders. In the past year it has reached crises level, especially the inter-island system, which is supposed to run so that school children and workers can get home. Some people opt to go to the mainland the day ahead of important appointments, in order to be on time. One island couple we know have a van they just stay in the night before.
A few weeks ago a ferry was cancelled due to the vessel running into a crab pot? This is the worst I have heard yet. We seem to miss a Mass or two every few weeks due to lack of inter-island ferry. (Our priests travel by ferry from the main island) A few Sundays ago, we did not have Mass due to some vessel "practice". On a Sunday?
Seems in spite of our modern era, we have slipped back a century, though I don't think they had so many lame excuses in days gone by.