• Home
  • Art & Culture
  • Business
  • Food
  • Tourism
  • Contact Us
Friday, March 5, 2021
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Martha's Vineyard Guide
  • Home
  • News Agencies
    • The MV Times
    • The MV Gazette
  • Tourist Agencies
    • MVOL
    • MV Chamber
  • Food Agencies
    • Edible Vineyard
    • Farm Field Sea
  • Community PR
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • News Agencies
    • The MV Times
    • The MV Gazette
  • Tourist Agencies
    • MVOL
    • MV Chamber
  • Food Agencies
    • Edible Vineyard
    • Farm Field Sea
  • Community PR
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Martha's Vineyard Guide
No Result
View All Result
Home News

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

by mvguide
January 18, 2021
in News, Tourism
0
0
SHARES
4
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Steamship Authority has cut back its Vineyard freight ferry routes after two employees tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.

In a press release that went out Friday night, SSA spokesman Sean Driscoll confirmed that an employee assigned to the M/V Martha’s Vineyard had tested positive for the virus on Friday. Although the employee last worked on a shift that began at noon Sunday, Jan. 12 and ended 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, the positive test prompted the boatline to cancel the freight boat M/V Katama’s 6:30 p.m. trip out of Woods Hole.

At the time, the SSA announced that the trip had been cancelled for “unforeseen circumstances.” A press release from boatline spokesman Sean Driscoll later confirmed that the trip was cancelled due to a positive Covid-19 test among crew.

The positive crew member was in close contact with individuals who had tested positive for the virus, according to Mr. Driscoll’s statement.

A second crew member assigned to the Nantucket route also tested positive later on Friday, Mr. Driscoll confirmed in an updated press release.

The two positive tests have prompted the ferry line to alter its freight schedule “to better manage its staffing capabilities,” the statement said.

Vessel employees determined to be in close contact with the crewmembers who tested positive will not be allowed to return to work until they receive a negative test. Due to the staffing shortages, the SSA has cut freight routes on both its Vineyard and Nantucket routes.

Starting Saturday, the M/V Katama will cut its 5:30 a.m. freight run from Woods Hole and reduce its schedule from five round trips per day to four on the Vineyard route. Nantucket routes will also see freight schedule reductions.

Mr. Driscoll’s statement said that the Steamship Authority planned to cut back its freight schedule due to low demand on Tuesday, but moved the changes up due to the positive tests from Friday.

“The Authority had planned to reduce the operating schedule of the M/V Katama starting Tuesday, January 19, 2021, due to low demand for those trips, but moved up the schedule change in response to Friday’s developments,” Mr. Driscoll worte. “The Authority’s reservation personnel have rebooked the vehicles on the affected trips, which were largely used by freight shippers, to other trips to accommodate the schedule changes. These schedule alterations will continue until further notice.”

The positive tests and subsequent cancelled trips come days after SSA general manager Bob Davis sent a letter to the state requesting information regarding the Covid-19 vaccine for its 500-person crew. The letter cites urgent staffing and scheduling concerns caused by an increase in positive Covid-19 tests.

Mr. Driscoll said that the boatline had not heard back from the state regarding the request on Friday. The Dukes County Commission also sent a letter supporting the request for information.

As front-line employees in the transportation sector, Steamship Authority crew members are in line to receive the vaccine as part of the state’s second phase of the vaccine rollout. But phase two runs from February through April, making the exact date and logistics of their vaccinations unclear.

Meanwhile, Mr. Davis said in the statement Friday that the SSA would continue to encourage social distancing protocols among staff and aggressively clean vessels.

“While we understand that the reduction in freight service will have an effect on our customers, this slight reduction in service will help us better manage our available personnel to ensure the maximum amount of service possible to each island,” Mr. Davis said. “I thank our customers for their understanding during this time.”




Source link

mvguide

mvguide

Related Posts

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

by mvguide
March 5, 2021
0

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic forced all six Island towns to delay their annual town meetings and elections in...

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

by mvguide
March 4, 2021
0

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital announced that Island teachers and child care workers can sign up for vaccine appointments starting...

Martha’s Vineyard Bucket List: Discovering Island Alpaca

by mvguide
March 3, 2021
0

People are always wondering what there is to do year-round on Martha’s Vineyard. You may be surprised to find...

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

by mvguide
March 3, 2021
0

The Massachusetts Land Court has dismissed the latest in a string of lawsuits brought by Edgartown attorney Benjamin L....

WE LOVE MV: Spring Fun On Martha’s Vineyard

WE LOVE MV: Spring Fun On Martha’s Vineyard

by mvguide
March 2, 2021
0

In past years, gnomes have been known to appear on the Polly Hill Arboretum grounds, and it has become...

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News

by mvguide
March 2, 2021
0

When it comes to tall ships, there are few things Capt. Robert S. Douglas — the legendary, 88-year old...

Next Post

The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Facebook Twitter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe and receive updates in your email inbox.
SUBSCRIBE

Category

  • Agriculture & Land
  • Art, Culture & Activities
  • Business
  • Food
  • News
  • Tourism
Currently Playing

© 2020 The Martha's Vineyard Guide - Site by Sitka Creations® LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Betsy Shands
  • Breakwater MV Real Estate
  • Community PR
  • Contact Us
  • Darcie Lee Hannaway
  • Home
  • JMS Rentals
  • Marston Clough
  • MV Center for Living
  • MV Community Greenhouse
  • MV Mediation Program
  • Nelson Mechanical Design, Inc.
  • Seth Williams Plumbing and Heating
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Summer Shades
  • Trademark Services LLC

© 2020 The Martha's Vineyard Guide - Site by Sitka Creations® LLC.