Well, there are a lot of these sailors going around the world all the time, and very seldom does anything like this happen. I just don’t want people thinking that engine room employees aren’t healthy.

The workers’ union said it didn’t coordinate the sickout, instead describing it as a “frantic cry for help from an abused and frustrated group of highly-skilled and committed workers.” It did not say if the staffing crisis could continue beyond Monday.

...

This came after 23 engine room employees called in sick, and the workers qualified to replace them declined to fill in, according to the transportation department. Without them, the boats can’t sail.

Solidarity!

Yay! Run-to-fail is the rule here too. The slightest issue - staffing, traffic, wind, engines underperforming - and the entire day is hosed. The only thing that gets it back on track is night -- because the scheduled sailings stop.