“We have a lot less people coming up the hawsepipe, because they have families, the cost, and they can’t just leave for that time and not be working. It’s just a lot more difficult now,” Nye said, adding that the regulations have tightened and brought more classes and more costs. “So we don’t have that source of engineers with the Alaska Marine Highway anymore.”
Back when i was looking for work I considered a position with Alaska ferries. I wanted to figure out how to take it, but if I remember right they wouldn’t cover travel and for the day rate and schedule, It didn’t make sense to figure out flights and such. Nye said it, “the cost, and they can’t just leave for that time and not be working.” If they want more people make the pay right and cover training costs. I see the same bull from MSC all the time. They pay less then standard or par at best and have a shitty schedule, but complain there isnt enough mariners. The fish stinks.
The Alaska Ferries have help wanted signs up at the airports.