Updated July 22
The Island Home returned to service on Sunday morning after a number of canceled trips on Saturday.
The Steamship Authority’s large ferry had problems with its generator before the ferry line took it out of service indefinitely Saturday afternoon. A long line of drivers wrapped around Five Corners in Tisbury early Sunday morning, trying to get off the Island.
Sean Driscoll, the Steamship Authority communications director, said that 75 vehicle reservations for transportation from Vineyard Haven to Woods Hole were impacted because of Saturday’s cancellations; one vehicle reservation was impacted trying to get to the Vineyard from Woods Hole.
“The totals are approximate, because some people might have changed their plans [altogether], or otherwise not have checked in with our staff,” Driscoll said.
In a Sunday morning announcement, the Steamship asked travelers who had a vehicle reservation for Saturday to speak with terminal staff to be placed in priority standby.
The Steamship said that an “unexpected issue” with the Island Home’s generator had put it out of service. A smaller freight ferry, Gay Head, ran in its place.
“Due to that vessel’s smaller vehicle capacity, not all customers may be able to travel on their booked trip,” the statement read on Saturday. “Walk-on passenger cutoffs may also occur. Anyone with a vehicle reservation should arrive at the terminal no later than 30 minutes before their scheduled departure, and our terminal staff will do their best to accommodate everyone.”
The Island Home canceled its 8:15 am departure from Woods Hole and its 9:30 am departure from Vineyard Haven. The vessel would sail its route again starting with the 10:45 am trip. Outside of the generator problem, the Island Home also had issues with its doors opening, forcing the 2:30 pm departure from Vineyard Haven to be canceled.
Driscoll said he did not have further details on why the generator was having issues.
He said vehicles aboard the problematic afternoon trip were eventually “offloaded,” and the vessel returned to Woods Hole.
The Island Home’s 3:45 pm departure from Woods Hole and its 5 pm departure from Vineyard Haven were also canceled due to issues with the generator, according to Driscoll, before it was taken out of service.
Perhaps we should rename is the Broken Home? What is going on at the Steamship Authority this year? The lifeline to the Islands? Do they even know their own slogan? Some serious oversight and an overhaul of leadership are beyond due.
It is time to dissolve, go back to private.
Make the Island Great Again