The M/V Governor’s term may be over. On Tuesday the Steamship Authority’s board members discussed the fate of the humble ferry vessel, which dates to the 1950s. Steamship general manager Wayne Lamson said that the boat line will conduct a study about options for replacing the Governor.

Last spring the boat’s engines were replaced after losing power on a trip between Vineyard Haven and Woods Hole. That ill-fated trip required a tug to safety and the aging boat has spent much of the last year out of service. Mr. Lamson said that it could be sold in one piece or, failing a buyer, scrapped while its engines are installed in the freight boat M/V Katama.

As a replacement, Mr. Lamson said the Steamship Authority could purchase a used freight boat, construct a new one, or even purchase a new passenger vessel like the M/V Island Home, while converting the M/V Nantucket to a freight vessel by removing its two passenger decks.

Built in Oakland, Calif., the M/V Governor began service in 1954 between San Diego and Coronado, where it was known as the Crown City. In 1969 the ferry was rechristened the Kulshan and began shuttling between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island in Washington State, where, according to the pacific northwest ferry enthusiast Web site evergreenfleet.com, the open-air vessel held “the unique distinction of being the most loathed ferry to ever sail Puget Sound waters,” both for its appearance and the propensity of water to breach the bulwark, soaking passengers and cars. After a stint in New York City shuttling between Manhattan and Governor’s Island, the Steamship Authority purchased the M/V Governor in 1997.