State ferry system in 3rd year of crew shortages

Crew shortages continue to plague the Alaska Marine Highway, the ferry system’s director told a gathering of Southeast officials last week.

“Our biggest shortage is in the engineering department,” where the 54 ship engineers on the payroll as of Jan. 26 were far short of the 81 needed for full staffing, Craig Tornga told a gathering of community, business and government leaders at the Southeast Conference on Feb. 7 in Juneau.

“We’re short in the wheelhouse,” he added, down eight from a full contingent of 79 in the master, chief mate, second- and third-mate positions.

Tornga, who was hired last...