Maritime Safety Concerns Grow on San Francisco Bay Amid Government Shutdown

Essential workers at the Department of Homeland Security continue working without pay, raising worries about vessel traffic coordination and potential accidents.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:56am by Ben Kaplan

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The ongoing government shutdown has left many essential workers at the Department of Homeland Security, including vessel traffic service operators who monitor and direct boat traffic on the San Francisco Bay, working long hours without paychecks. Maritime experts warn that the financial strain could become a distraction in an already high-pressure job, potentially leading to accidents on the water if the situation continues much longer.

Why it matters

The vessel traffic service operators play a critical role in keeping both large commercial vessels and smaller boats safe on the San Francisco Bay by maintaining constant radio communication and coordinating traffic. Their absence or distraction due to lack of pay could put the public at risk of maritime incidents.

The details

The Department of Homeland Security funding lapse began on February 13, marking the third time in nearly six months that employees such as the vessel traffic service operators have had to work without pay. These operators, who guide passenger ferries, tour boats, cargo ships and bar pilots, have been working 12-hour shifts without paychecks, causing significant financial and emotional strain. While maritime experts say traveling on the water remains safe for now, they warn that the situation could lead to accidents if it continues much longer.

  • The Department of Homeland Security funding lapse began on February 13, 2026.
  • The current shutdown marks the third time in nearly six months that DHS employees have had to work without pay.

The players

Scott Humphrey

Executive director of the Marine Exchange of the San Francisco Bay Region and chair of the Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay Region, who spent 30 years working in vessel traffic service.

John Barnett

A commercial fisherman and president of the San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Association.

Capt. John Carlier

President of the San Francisco Bar Pilots.

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What they’re saying

“They're working 12-hour shifts, and they're not getting paid.”

— Scott Humphrey, Executive director of the Marine Exchange of the San Francisco Bay Region (CBS News)

“Going one payday without a paycheck, you're probably stressed out. Going two paydays without a paycheck means that you're now having to spend a lot of your off-time and your on-time negotiating with the bank about whether or not they're going to give you a credit card payment off, your car, or your mortgage payment. And it just adds a level of stress.”

— Scott Humphrey, Executive director of the Marine Exchange of the San Francisco Bay Region (CBS News)

“I fear if this goes on much longer, we are going to have an accident, we are going to have some sort of maritime incident.”

— Scott Humphrey, Executive director of the Marine Exchange of the San Francisco Bay Region (CBS News)

“They need to be there not just for ships hitting a bridge or running aground, but for ships coming into contact with each other.”

— John Barnett, Commercial fisherman and president of the San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Association (CBS News)

“Protocols are in place for when VTS is operating at a reduced capacity, so there is not an absence of communication - pilots can still navigate commercial ships safely, but the system functions best when there is VTS in place coordinating between ships, ferries, and recreational traffic on the water.”

— Capt. John Carlier, President of the San Francisco Bar Pilots (CBS News)

What’s next

Republican and Democratic senators said on Thursday they remained far apart on a deal, and no immediate solution was expected.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the critical role that vessel traffic service operators play in maintaining maritime safety on the San Francisco Bay, and the potential risks to public safety if the government shutdown continues to impact their ability to perform their duties without pay.