
An investigation into what went wrong with the M/V Iyanough, a fast ferry that crashed into a breakwater on its way back to Hyannis from Nantucket Friday, is ongoing, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and Steamship Authority officials.
The crash injured as many as 15 people; two had to be airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter from the ferry. Another 10 people were hoisted to safety by the helicopter, while the remaining passengers and crew were taken off the ferry and to shore by boat. There were a total of 48 passengers, six crew members, and three food service workers aboard.
The dramatic scene played out under some severe chop and slippery conditions on the jetty, Wayne Lamson, general manager of the Steamship Authority, told The Times. The Coast Guard reported wave heights of four feet on the seaward side, and three feet on the leeward side, he said.
Investigators are talking with the crew and passengers to determine why the vessel veered off its normal course and slammed into the rocks.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Coast Guard First District office said Tuesday the investigation is ongoing. She could not say how long the probe would take.
Mr. Lamson was at the Hyannis terminal that night. He praised the rescue efforts of the Hyannis Fire Department, the Coast Guard, and the Iyanough crew.
“I can’t say enough about the Hyannis fire chief, how he took over and administered first aid to the passengers,” Mr. Lamson said. “They all did a great job dealing with an unfortunate situation.”
The incident happened at around 9:30 pm, but the last passenger wasn’t evacuated until after 3 am. Once it was determined that there was no imminent danger to passengers of the vessel sinking, rescuers took their time in the difficult conditions, Mr. Lamson said.
“If you don’t have to put people into rafts or the water, it’s better not to,” he said.
The Iyanough was under the control of two employees with more than 60 years of experience on what was the final run of the night from Nantucket to Hyannis. On Wednesday the Steamship Authority issued a statement saying the captain and pilot in the wheelhouse at the time of the accident have bee put on administrative leave. As part of the investigation, the captain and pilot underwent alcohol and drug testing. Both tested negative for alcohol, but the drug results are still pending, according to the statement.
On Saturday, the Iyanough was pulled off the rocks, and later that day, went to Fairhaven for repairs under its own power. Those repairs were initially expected to take two weeks, but Mr. Lamson told The Times the ferry could be out of service for as much as a month. That means it will be out of service for the busy Fourth of July season, he said.
The Steamship Authority is filling one round-trip a day to and from Nantucket with the Sea Streak out of New Bedford, which is having a ripple effect of limiting the amount of trips that that fast ferry makes to and from Martha’s Vineyard, Mr. Lamson said.
“They’ve been really great about helping out,” he said.
The Sea Streak’s capacity, at 149, is less than half of what the Iyanough can carry at 393 passengers, so SSA officials are still trying to find another ferry to help with the demand, particularly with the busiest part of the season ahead, he said.
“As the saying goes, we’re gonna need a bigger boat,” Mr. Lamson said.
Anyone traveling to Nantucket or who typically uses Sea Streak to go to and from the Vineyard should check the schedule, he said. Reservations are also being recommended because of the limited capacity.
The crash hasn’t changed the way the Steamship Authority is handling any of its other crossings, Mr. Lamson said. Pursers already warn passengers to stay in their seats and off the stairs in choppy surf, he said.
Friday’s crash into the breakwater is the most significant accident for the ferry service, which operates between the mainland and the two Islands, Mr. Lamson said. There have been other groundings and hard landings, and last year two ferries bumped in Woods Hole.
Passengers can check the status of ferries at 508-495-3278 or visit steamshipauthority.com.