The MV Island Home, the largest ferry in the Steamship Authority fleet, returned to service Tuesday after undergoing two months’ worth of repair in Fairhaven. The Island Home was slated to have one or both engines overhauled, depending on budget allowances, and a reconfiguration of coolant piping “incorrectly installed,” as part of a long list of repairs and maintenance items. SSA spokesman Sean Driscoll said Tuesday both engines were overhauled, but the coolant piping, which he described as “cosmetic,” was not worked on. Upon returning from a similar repair period in 2018, the vessel suffered numerous problems, including electrical, bow thruster, and generator glitches that knocked it in and out of service.
The vessel’s bow thruster troubles began after the replacement of the original electric thrusters with diesel thrusters. A design engineer for Tees White Gill, maker of the new bow thrusters, previously said the difficulties with them stemmed from a rocky software interface. In autumn of 2018, the grid coolers — cooling mechanisms — of the bow thrusters were damaged by electrolysis. Electrolysis, a type of electrochemical reaction, is a well-known corroder of marine metals. The origin of the electrolysis, according to SSA director of maintenance and engineering, was a “bonding issue” that required affixing special stainless steel straps, but not before both grid coolers were replaced.
When has the next dry dock space been scheduled for the Island Home?
It has been 3 days since being back in service. Seems overdue for another breakdown.
The “Broken Home” is also another name for this ship. I hope all goes well since it’s return to service.