Some times of the day it looks like July in the Chappy ferry waiting line while other times of the day it looks like January.

With contractors catching up on lost time, the morning ferry line on the Edgartown side can extend half way up Simpsons lane. That lasts for a couple of hours. Then it’s a few cars at most in line on each side until they all leave Chappy between 4 and 6 p.m. And this doesn’t happen every day. There is very little consistency in the traffic flow. Part of the increase in traffic has to do with workers traveling in separate vehicles as per the Covid-19 guidelines.

Check the ferry website cameras to see what’s going on with the waiting lines before heading into town. Generally, the quiet time at the ferry is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.. Now that I’ve said that, it will probably be misguided.

The Falmouth to Edgartown ferry has been operating since Memorial Day weekend on its spring schedule. For the next two weekends the last boat to leave Falmouth on Friday is at 6:30 p.m. and the last boat to leave Edgartown on Sunday is at 5:15 p.m. On Friday, June 19, their summer schedule begins. See their website for all the details about how they are dealing with the Covid-19 precautions.

The beach route to and from Chappy is open for the time being. Make sure to deflate your tires properly and that your over-sand vehicle permits are current. New permits must be purchased online. Google TTOR, choose “list of reservations”, click on Wasque and then OSV permits. After ordering online, you can immediately pick up your new stickers at Mytoi or either gatehouse between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the Vineyard Haven office between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.