The following is an open letter from the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee.

Summer is nearly over, and the new WSF fall schedule will take effect on Sunday, Sept. 27.

There are several changes that everyone needs to understand. Most notable is that the last sailing from Anacortes to the islands, Monday through Thursday, will be at 7:25 p.m. That ferry will NOT stop at Shaw. Please also be advised that the 6 p.m. sailing from Anacortes is NOT the inter-island ferry (that is a printing error); the 6:50 p.m. departure from Lopez is the continuing inter-island service to Friday harbor.

The need for the earlier departure is a result of a recent US Coast Guard requirement that all crews have an opportunity for eight hours of rest between shifts. In order to retain the 6 a.m. departure from Friday Harbor it became necessary for an earlier departure from Anacortes the previous evening, hence the last sailing at 7:25 p.m.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, another ferry will depart Anacortes at 9:30 p.m. stopping at Lopez, Shaw and Orcas. That ferry will continue on to Friday Harbor ONLY on Friday night. Budgetary constraints don’t allow for expanded late night service earlier in the week.

This situation is regrettable, as it changes travel patterns for many folks within our community. The county Ferry Advisory Committee is very aware of the deficiencies of this schedule, including the lack of service to Shaw after 6:35 p.m., and the complications created for school mainland trips.

Given the Coast Guard ruling and complex negotiations on new work rules for the vessel crews, we are constrained to this schedule for the fall period. We encourage you to read the new schedule carefully, as there are other minor changes. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact your FAC representative, as we will soon begin discussions on all of the schedules for next year.