Thanksgiving week is shaping up to be a busy one on the Vineyard, as visitors appear to be coming early and staying longer, advance booking data from the SSA shows.

The ferry Island Home went out of service due to mechanical issues on Thursday morning.

With a collective sigh, Steamship Authority governors unanimously approved a set of sweeping, across-the-board rate hikes, inking steep increases at their meeting Tuesday.

Steamship Authority governors are scheduled to vote on a set of sweeping rate hikes at their meeting Tuesday — the second substantial rate hike in as many years for the ferry line.

A Steamship Authority employee assigned to the ferry Island Home has tested positive for Covid-19, the boat line announced Sunday.

Both of the longtime Martha’s Vineyard representatives on the Steamship Authority Port Council announced Tuesday morning they will not seek reappointment for another term.

Steamship Authority riders will have their chance to question boat line managers on the proposed budget and fare hikes.

On Veterans Day, the Steamship Authority will provide free tickets to active service members and veterans, in what is now an annual event.

Calling it a “bitter pill” to swallow, Steamship Authority governors said Tuesday they would back an operating budget for the coming year that will include across-the board rate hikes.

Richard Clark, longtime Steamship Authority terminal agent in Vineyard Haven, will retire Friday after 41 years on the job. He started with the boat line as a ticket seller in 1979.