Islanders racing to get through the ferry terminal 30 minutes ahead of departure has sparked complaints.

The Ferry Advisory Committee’s last meeting two weeks ago started with Chairman Jim Corenman of San Juan Island inviting citizens to share public testimony. He made it clear that all topics were up for discussion.

“Schedules, how come they’re so crazy?” Corenman remarked, earning a unanimous chuckle. “We can talk about that.”

Those in attendance didn’t mention their frustration with the schedule, but instead were mostly concerned with the current rule, which requires drivers to be through the reservation line 30 minutes before the departure of the ferry. Those who don’t make it through the line 30 minutes prior to their scheduled departure are then sent to the back of the standby line.

Friday Harbor resident Christopher Hodgkin offered a loud voice concerning this issue. He wanted to know who approved this policy and what the logic was behind the decision. Hodgkin asked the council to make a public records request so we could get to the bottom of what drove this change in policy.

“If they get away with this then it’s ‘Katie bar the door’, [Washington State Ferries will say] We will do what we want in the future,” Hodgkin exclaimed. “The idea that standby should be wagging the dog needs to be re-considered.”

Another complaint regarding the 30-minute rule was how it is applied when the ferry is running late.

One citizen claimed that he has been stuck in the Anacortes terminal for hours because the ferry was late, and when that happens one must still be through the ferry line 30 minutes before the original ETA – or lose their reservation. San Juan County Councilman Rick Hughes said that he is concerned about the change in food vendors on the ferries, but with all the issues facing the ferry system right now, he has neither the time no resources to fight Washington State Ferries over this change.

(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated that Hughes had neither the time or the resources to devote to the 30 minute rule, he was referring to the food service issues. Read his revised statements below.)

San Juan County Councilman Rick Hughes said that he is concerned about the change to food services, but with all the issues facing the ferry system right now, he would rather devote time and resources to fight Washington State Ferries over issues like maintenance, access to better boats and the 30 -minute rule.

“San Juan county is vehemently against this rule,” said Hughes. “It’s unfortunate that 22 percent of reservation holders show up after the 30 minutes required. What is the purpose of the reservation if you are a minute late when often that is out of your control because of medical appointments or traffic. We should allow reservations to continue until the boat begins loading.”

Cali Bagby contributed to this article.