NEW BEDFORD — Concerns about crew shortages have led the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority to cut back on its summer schedules.
but, Seastreak Ferry and Cuttyhunk Ferry Co. New Bedford State Pier has not reported a shortage of available crew members or reductions in service.
Sean Driscoll, public affairs director for the Steamship Authority, told the Cape Cod Times that the schedule changes will reduce the ferry’s available parking spaces by single digits.
According to the Cape Cod Times, Steamship Authority Director Peter Jeffery of Falmouth said the authority did not have enough crew members to actually operate the schedule originally announced.
“Part of it is attrition due to retirements, but it’s also very difficult to recruit new people,” he said. “It takes a while to train people to the rank of pilot or captain.”
The Steamship Authority changes will be in effect from June 17th to September 5th.
