The Alaska Marine Highway System may be forced to suspend some of its sailings in the coming week due to the state ferry’s problems with hiring continue throughout the summer season’s peak travel time the top official of the system said on Friday.
“We’re nearing the point of closing the Hubbard down next week because we are unable to bring another engineer with a license on board,” AMHS director Craig Tornga told the ferry’s operations board.
Hubbard Hubbard has been scheduled to travel between Haines, Skagway and Juneau for six days from July 16 and July 22.
This summer the Alaskan ferry system has just six of nine ships available; two have been put up to work on mechanical issues and the ocean-going ferry Kennicott is being halted due to the fact that there isn’t enough qualified crew to run it.
“The sole reason that we operate six (ships) is due to crew members’ willingness to work beyond (their schedule break times),” Tornga said. “We are actually not able to provide enough to fill the six.”
The problems with hiring at the ferry company are a result of a mix of factors, which include the global lack of marine workers as well as issues with the state-side. The most pressing issue is a flawed system for payroll that Tornga stated has resulted in certain ferry workers’ wages delayed.
“AMHS in general is facing serious issues with payroll that are hindering our ability to hire and retain employees,” said Capt. Keith Hillard, a member of the ferry’s operational board.
Locally, the union office of Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association is asking members not to accept the ferry service, Tornga said, because the payroll delays.
The national MEBA official was unable to immediately respond to a question on Friday.
“Payroll is a major issue for us. DOT is working to set up the department’s payroll and we aren’t able to do it done in time. This is really affecting us,” Tornga said.
In May 2022 60 percent of the ferry’s job openings were empty which is the highest percentage of vacant positions of any government agency.
In a statement on Friday Tornga claimed that her agency is “full” of entry-level positions on ships, but continues to face shortages in authorized positions.
10 of the wheelhouse positions are unfilled as is 36 out of the 122 engine room posts. For seamen with a high level of skill 12 out of 58 positions are unfilled.
Tornga and other members of the ferry board pointed out that the competition for mariners with licenses has become so intense across the nation that the government of America is providing a hefty pay increase and bonuses for those positions.
The Military Sealift Command, a civilian organisation, is offering an average annual pay of close to $100,000 for seamen with the ability and a recruitment bonus of over $23,000.
“When they give bonuses out in this manner, it’s difficult,” Tornga said.
Based on public records from March, AMHS paid $26.38 each hour, for a seaman who was able to work.
Shirley Marquardt, chair of the operation board, stated that she was aware of the federal deal, too.
“I saw that and my heart broke,” she said.
