The Steamship Authority ferry Island Home went out of service due to mechanical issues on Thursday morning. The ferry was expected to be back in service as of its 1:15 p.m. departure from Woods Hole.

The boat line cancelled the Island Home’s first three round trips from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven, starting with the 6 a.m. trip that originated in Woods Hole and continuing with the 8:15 a.m. trip and the 10:45 a.m. trip.

According to a statement from SSA spokesman Sean Driscoll, the mechanical issue involved the vessel’s “programmable logic controller,” which Mr. Driscoll described as “an electronic component that controls various engine functions.” Mr. Driscoll said in the statement that the part required replacement and re-programming, and that the boat line was making preparations to run the M/V Gay Head in place of the Island Home.

In a follow-up email, Mr. Driscoll said the part had been sourced and that the Island Home would be back online for its 1:15 p.m. trip from Woods Hole.

 

— Noah Asimow