Ferry service resumes; Oak Bluffs boats diverted

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Updated Saturday @ 5:30 am

Ferry service has finally resumed for Martha’s Vineyard, though ferries that usually arrive and depart from Oak Bluffs will be diverted to Vineyard Haven.

A coastal storm packing powerful winds and heavy rain forced the Steamship Authority to shut down for two days and parts of a third day stranding hundreds of people and foiling the plans of Islanders and people coming to the Vineyard for Columbus Day weekend.

The storm had sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts of 60 mph. Heavy rain at times caused flooding in some off the usual spots like Beach Road in Vineyard Haven.

Robert Davis, general manager of the SSA, wrote in an email to The Times that the SSA typically transports 900 to 950 vehicles over the Columbus Day weekend from Thursday through Monday with about 8,000 passengers per day.

Because of the storm, the SSA has put reservations on hold for Friday and Saturday, Davis wrote. “Customers with reservations for Wednesday October 9 – Saturday October 12 who wish to rebook or modify a reservation can call 508.477.8600 (until 4 pm) or 508.477.7447 (until 9 pm) as our reservation office will have extended hours Friday and Saturday,” Davis wrote.

According to Davis:

  • All change and cancellation fees are currently waived for those who wish to change their travel arrangements.
  • Travel on the Martha’s Vineyard route will be reservations only for both Friday and Saturday.
  • Customers with vehicle reservations from Thursday, October 10th through Saturday, October 12th, may choose to park their vehicle, free of charge (customers need to show their reservation confirmation) at any Steamship Authority parking lot, in lieu of traveling with their vehicle.

Here’s a link to the Steamship Authority website.