Steamship Authority governors put a period on the year 2021 at their monthly meeting Monday, hearing financial reports, electing new officers for 2022 and addressing transfer bridge safety following incidents involving a failed cable in recent weeks.
The ferry Nantucket was repaired and cleared for service by the Coast Guard late Sunday after a problem with a rudder indicator sidelined the ferry for most of the day, causing huge backups on the Vineyard route. SSA general manager Bob Davis said the problem was a rudder indicator.
With finances on an even keel again amid ongoing robust ferry traffic, Steamship Authority governors voted Tuesday to approve a $119.6 million operating budget for the coming year.
Two Steamship Authority freight boats were taken out of service Saturday, leading to a reshuffling of boats and crews through Sunday. Both the Katama and the Sankaty had problems, but the Sankaty was back in service by Monday.
Steamship Authority rates will remain unchanged next year, according to a preliminary $123 million operating budget reviewed by the boat line governors.
The U.S. Coast Guard has cleared the M/V Governor for service after a leak was detected on the vesssel as it was berthed in the Vineyard Haven harbor Wednesday morning.