The Steamship Authority (SSA) is keeping its eye on the offshore wind industry as it tries to fill its ranks.
This was a concern brought forward by Jim Malkin, the Martha’s Vineyard representative on the SSA board, during a Thursday meeting.
The SSA has had issues filling some staff positions as the summer season progresses. In particular, a testing backlog at the U.S. Coast Guard documentation center prevented the licensure of deck officers, and forced a couple of ferries to reduce their schedules. There has been some relief on that front, and only the Iyanough, on the Nantucket route, is running on a constrained schedule.
The Steamship is also looking to hire other staff members, including parking lot attendants, bus drivers, and maintenance staff, according to SSA human resources director Janice Kennefick. Kennefick said something that contributed to the shortage was that some candidates did not show up to interviews, did not respond to phone calls, shifted their interests, or could not pass a drug test.
Meanwhile, several offshore wind farms are planned to be built in the ocean not far from Vineyard waters. Earlier this month, Vineyard Wind began installation work for its first turbine towers and transition pieces.
“I’m concerned about the potential impact on able-bodied seamen and pilots and so on and so forth, in terms of the attraction of these other positions that will come online relatively quickly,” Malkin said.
Kennefick said while a plan should be developed for this potential outcome, she is still seeing seamen application packets coming into her office. “As far as I know, we haven’t lost anyone to the wind farms,” she said.
Davis said the SSA is “aware and concerned” of the potential impact the offshore wind industry could have on hiring efforts. However, Davis said the SSA has been a “stable and good year-round employer.” He added that the authority has been increasing its recruitment efforts to replace its aging workforce.
“We do appear to be a good employer in terms of people wanting to come to work for us, and we need to be able to leverage that even more going forward,” he said, adding that the retention and promotion of hired seamen will need to be a part of the plan.
The Biden Administration has provided so many employment opportunities for Islanders.
I guess that’s a downside of providing good paying jobs– But I’m not sure the V.W. project needs many people to park cars.
This is great news for Bob Davis, now he has another scapegoat to blame for future failures.
If only you had campaigned for County Commissioners who would appoint SSA Governors who would fire Bob Davis.
Which of Bob Davis’ predecessors did you find to be competent.
My decades of experience is that the head dude at the SSA is always a bad guy.
He is hired by by bad guy County Commissioners who are voted into office by bad guy Island voters.
How much blame will R Scott accept.
What will you do when Bob Davis is no longer your scapegoat?
We didn’t have these problems when Wayne Lamson was there. I have no interest in running for any office.
FYI. The Dukes County Commission appoints the Vineyard Steamship Authority member. There is no SSA “governor.” That’s a self-inflated term manufactured by the press that does not appear in the SSA’s enabling legislation. The SSA board hires the chief executive officer. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard hold the controlling votes.
Bob Davis is smart enough to recognize that offshore wind will shrink his available talent pool and drive up SSA operating costs. .
Is he the only one?
Thank God that Islanders can earn more money than the SSA is offering.