NEW BEDFORD - Encouraged by hundreds of applauding onlookers,
New Bedford political leaders, transportation planners and tourism
promoters last night issued their demand for full ferry service to the
two Islands - and for a place on the Steamship Authority governing
board, all in the name of commerce and progress.

The surprise decision by the Steamship Authority governors last
month to buy the New Bedford passenger ferry Schamonchi was pitched as a
sound business decision for the public boat line, but an internal
financial analysis done by the SSA shows that in fact the ferry is
expected to lose large amounts of money.

The boat line board of governors voted last month to buy the
Schamonchi for $1.75 million.

The Martha's Vineyard Commission acted swiftly last night to set in motion a plan that could preserve the north shore between the West Chop and Gay Head lighthouses as it is today - pristine and virtually free of any piers, docks or groins.

A 32-lot luxury home subdivision plan for the Herring Creek Farm in
Edgartown cleared the final hurdle for approval this week, but if a
complicated private agreement for the sale of the farm is completed in
the months ahead, the subdivision may never be developed.

Federal and state investigators continue their inquiry into the
causes of a commuter airplane crash early Tuesday night in the Manuel F.
Correllus State Forest. Both the plane's pilot and its sole
passenger remain hospitalized.

Harbor master Jay Wilbur works year-round in Vineyard Haven, the
Island harbor that never sleeps.

On Wednesday of this week, Mr. Wilbur took his boat out to explore, to check channel depths and look at boats still at their moorings.

Harbor master Jay Wilbur works year-round in Vineyard Haven, the
Island harbor that never sleeps.

On Wednesday of this week, Mr. Wilbur took his boat out to explore,
to check channel depths and look at boats still at their moorings.

In greater numbers than ever before, Islanders are looking for
- and finding - the help to get clean and sober.

Public Hearings Open on SSA

Special Task Force Headed By Retired Judge Rudolph Kass Begins Deliberations on Future Boat Line in New Bedford

By JULIA WELLS

A special state task force charged with studying ferry and
transportation problems on the Cape and Islands will hold a set of
public hearings beginning next week in New Bedford, and continuing
through the month of February on Nantucket, Cape Cod and Martha's
Vineyard.

A new plan to protect the rugged and pristine north shore of the
Vineyard is expected to be unveiled next week.