We take the WA state ferries quite often and have many friends in Anacortes that are captains, mates, and deck hands. I liked the good old days when you could get invited up to the wheelhouse. Security and inappropriate behavior have changed all that. . . remember "Elwha on the Rocks".
I has hired as a summer deck hand 50 years ago for WSF, but chose other available employment without the irregular shifts and large commutes. It would have been interesting summer work.
I like it when we approach the ticket booth and they say "Hi Ron". They are doing a great job and manage a complex system amazingly well.