The Island's representatives on the Steamship board and port council hosted a public forum at the Portuguese American Club on Thursday.

A maritime recruitment firm with operations around the world is poised to conduct the search for a new Steamship Authority general manager.

On the maritime side, Mark Amundsen said his number one priority is to tackle the need for electric propulsion in future vessels.

Starting immediately, Mark Amundsen is responsible for all aspects of the Steamship Authority’s marine and shoreside operations as well as the engineering department and communications center.

The Steamship Authority hasn’t ruled out an external search yet, but so far has only posted the role in-house with positive results, officials said.

Steamship Authority engineers are working to iron out some unexpected wrinkles in the performance of the new freight ferry, M/V Barnstable.

Close to 10,000 people were lined up virtually before 8 a.m. to buy vehicle reservations on the Vineyard route this summer.

Stepping into the new year, the Steamship Authority has a lot on its plate, from filling its top two positions to balancing the shifting travel patterns.

The 5:30 a.m. freight departure from Vineyard Haven is back in business for the next couple of months, after regulatory complications pushed back planned dock work at the Steamship Authority terminal until this fall.