Island Home makes her first Island visit

By Nelson Sigelman - February 22, 2007

The Steamship Authority's newest ferry made her first visit to Vineyard Haven Harbor Tuesday afternoon. The historic trip was unannounced but attracted considerable attention.

It was supposed to be low-key, said one SSA insider, but it did not take long for the news to get out.

Word of mouth amplified by cell phones spread the word. One man saw it out his window. Another caught a glimpse of the new ferry riding high while looking at The Times web cam view of the harbor.

Some of those who gathered at the terminal saw her coming into Vineyard Haven harbor while driving by and just had to get a closer look.

Entering Vineyard Haven for the first time Tuesday afternoon, Island Home glided past the schooner Shenandoah. Photo by Susan Safford

SSA senior captain Sean O'Connor piloted the new vessel from Woods Hole and brought her into the north slip at Vineyard Haven. After testing the ramps, he moved her into the south slip.

"What's up?" one man shouted to Bridget Tobin, the well-known Island terminal manager.

"That's what's up," answered Ms. Tobin with the Island Home looming in the background. "She's a beauty." Ms. Tobin said elapsed time on the trip from Woods Hole was 28 minutes.

Judging by the comments of SSA employees and passersby gathered on the dock, the Island Home made quite an impression.

A truck debarked from Islander, as her replacement prepared to leave the terminal. Photo by Rick Mello.

Veteran deckhand Ron Maseda said his father had worked for the SSA and he grew up with the ferries Nobska, Naushon, and Uncatena. "I'm very impressed," he said, following the crossing from Woods Hole. "She sits well, and there's no vibration. It was a smooth, quiet ride."

Terminal ticket agent Kathleen Parsons was more effusive. "I love it, I love it," she said as she walked off the ferry after a brief ride from the north slip to the south slip.

"Not too shabby," said Bob Mone of West Tisbury.

According to Phil Parent, SSA director of human resources, crews will get familiar with the Island Home and conduct training exercises prior to the scheduled replacing of the Islander on Monday, March 5.

The $32 million ferry can carry 1,200 passengers and 76 cars, including 16 on hydraulic lift decks.

Islanders will have an opportunity to tour the vessel before she begins service. The public is invited to the commissioning at 11:30 am Saturday, March 3, followed by an open house from noon to 2 pm at the Vineyard Haven terminal.

After checking the fit with the transfer bridge in the north slip, the Island Home moved over to the south slip. A small group of onlookers watched her come and go. Photo by Susan Safford

Bridget Tobin, the SSA's redoubtable terminal agent, said of the new ferry, "She's a beauty." Photo by Susan Safford

On her maiden visit Tuesday afternoon, Island Home approached the Vineyard Haven terminal's north slip, alongside the ferry Martha's Vineyard. Photo by Amy M. Williams

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