Steamships and Ferries

New Freight Ferry Expected to Arrive Next Week

The M/V Barnstable, a former oil vessel that has been converted into a freight ferry, left the shipyard in Alabama Thursday for what is expected to be an eight-day voyage to the boat line’s maintenance facility in Fairhaven.

Excursion Fares May Escape Steamship Rate Hikes

The Steamship Authority has dropped a potential $3.50 to $5 rate increase for excursion fares from the Vineyard and cut a proposed passenger rate hike from $1 to 50 cents, according to a revised draft of the preliminary 2025 operating budget.

New Freight Ferry Could Join SSA Fleet This Fall

The M/V Barnstable, a repurposed offshore oil vessel, could join the boat line’s fleet later this fall after more than a year’s work at the Alabama Shipyard in Mobile. 

Woods Hole Ferry Sent to Shipyard for Repairs

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

Broken Ferry Pushes All Trips to Vineyard Haven

Steamship Authority staff were investigating a coolant issue on the M/V Nantucket, temporarily taking the ferry out of service.

SSA Approves Third Freight Boat Conversion Contract

The ferry line board of governors Thursday approved a $17 million retrofit of a former offshore oil vessel. The ferry, which will be called the M/V Monomoy, will eventually join two other newly converted freight vessels that are set to join the Steamship fleet later this year. 

Vehicle Reservations on Hold After Ferry Breakdown

Steamship workers discovered Friday that the Eagle ferry’s bow thruster was leaking gear lubricant, forcing the boat to go to the shipyard for repairs.

Steamship Works to Improve Communication on Ferry Cancellations

At the ferry line’s board of governors meeting Tuesday, Steamship staff said they were increasing the number of employees who can green light cancellations, expanding the call center hours and making other attempts to improve communication with customers about the status of ferries.

Storm Halts Ferries, Floods Roads

The National Weather Service reported winds up to 52 miles per hour at the airport.

Seastreak Commuter Service Seeks Its Sea Legs

While most of commuters to the Island take Steamship Authority ferries from Woods Hole, a few dozen are now making their way to and from the Vineyard via New Bedford aboard the Whaling City Express, a high-speed catamaran for passengers only.

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