wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > SB 5059 > Original Bill
The captain of a Washington state ferry vessel, also known as the master of a vessel or the commanding officer, is the ultimate authority on, and has responsibility for, the entire vessel and its Washington state ferries personnel while it is under their command. The captain's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Ensuring the safe navigation of the vessel and its crew and passengers;
Following all applicable international, federal, and state laws and regulations, and agency policies ;
Directing crew in performance, operations, training, security, and environmental protection;
Overseeing all aspects of vessel operations;
Ensuring that the vessel operations and its Washington state ferries personnel satisfy performance expectations set forth by the department; and
Coordinating vessel arrivals and departures, as well as all other vessel operations while the vessel is in their command.
By August 31, 2025, if a majority of the captains in the masters and pilots bargaining unit indicate by vote that they desire to be included in the combined masters, mates, and pilots bargaining unit, the public employees relations commission shall certify a combined masters, mates, and pilots bargaining unit, to be effective July 1, 2026.
Beginning with negotiations covering the 2027-2029 biennium, if the condition described in subsection (2) of this section is satisfied, then the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative of the masters, mates, and pilots bargaining unit must negotiate collective bargaining agreements that are consistent with this section. Otherwise, the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative of the captains-only bargaining unit must negotiate collective bargaining agreements that are consistent with this section.