The Island Home departed the Steamship Authority Woods Hole terminal on her 10:45 am trip bound for Vineyard Haven Wednesday, when just outside the port she slowed down, floated in circles, and returned to Woods Hole, a passenger reported.
The boatline’s largest ferry unloaded. Some passengers managed to board the noon sailing of the Martha’s Vineyard, bound for Oak Bluffs. The Island Home returned to service at 1:15 pm.
SSA general manager Wayne Lamson told The Times that a wire became disconnected, and shut down one of the main engines while en route to Vineyard Haven. “The vessel returned to Woods Hole on one engine, where we were able to diagnose the cause,” Mr. Lamson said.
A U.S. Coast Guard inspector was on board the 1:15 pm trip from Woods Hole to make sure that everything ran normally, he said.
