The Steamship Authority’s second largest vehicle ferry will be sidelined until at least Friday due to damage on the ship’s portside propeller blades.

On Monday, crew aboard the Woods Hole ferry noticed an irregularity while the vessel was working on the Vineyard route, according to a statement from the boat line. 

A team of divers was sent to inspect the hull. The divers removed a line from the port shaft and also noted the damage to the propeller blades.

The damage requires the ferry to be taken out of the water and sent to the Thames Shipyard in New London, Conn. Repairs are expected to start on Wednesday, and the Steamship Authority said the ferry could be back in service on Friday. 

The Steamship Authority does keep spare sets of blades for these propellers in case of damage.

The smaller M/V Governor will be taking over for the Woods Hole. Because of reduced vehicle capacities, there may be trip delays for some customers, but the Steamship Authority said it would use the vehicle lift decks aboard the Island Home ferry whenever possible.