2 Steamship Authority Employees Test Positive For Coronavirus

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA — Two Steamship Authority employees who work on the Martha's Vineyard route have tested positive for coronavirus.

According to a Steamship Authority news release, the first employee who tested positive was assigned to the M/V Martha's Vineyard. The employee last worked on a shift that began at 12 p.m. on Dec. 27 and ended at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 28.

"As the employee was a member of the crew that was due to take its watch with the noon departure of the M/V Martha’s Vineyard from Woods Hole, members of that crew who had worked with the affected employee during their last watch were instructed not to report for duty on the vessel," says the news release.

The 12 p.m. departure from Woods Hole and the 1:15 p.m. departure from Vineyard Haven were cancelled Wednesday as a result of the positive test. Substitute crew members filled in after that time so the vessel would be able to continue its usual schedule.

The second employee who tested positive was assigned to the Vineyard Haven terminal and last worked on Dec. 24.

The cases are unrelated, according to the Steamship Authority, and both employees immediately notified the company when they received their positive test results on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

Employees who were in close contact with the employees who tested positive have been notified and the Steamship Authority said it is taking extra precautions to keep riders and employees safe.

"Every night, Steamship Authority personnel use hospital-grade disinfectants on board all vessels, including the M/V Martha's Vineyard, to perform a cleaning of both public and employee areas," says the news release.

"The cleaning is part of the precautionary measures taken daily by the Authority's terminal employees and vessel crews to thoroughly clean and disinfect all high-touch areas, including hand railings, table tops, door handles, seats, faucets, and toilets. In addition, crews are assigned nightly to perform cleaning and disinfectant measures onboard the vessels," it continues.