The Tisbury Towing and Transportation Co. (TTT), owned by R.M. Packer, is pursuing a federal grant to construct a new boat ramp at the Tisbury Marine Terminal, which proponents say could help relieve the Steamship Authority of hazardous materials and trash, and increase commercial transportation between the Island and New Bedford.
If awarded the grant, Debby Packer, who was seeking support from the Dukes County Commission on Wednesday, said, construction of a new boat ramp, repairs to existing bulkhead, and modernizing electricity will help expand their business and streamline the Island’s commercial transportation.
To help pay for the commercial-use-only boat ramp, TTT is seeking a grant from the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s Marine Highway Program.
Before the Vineyard Haven company gets a definitive total to request, they first need local support. And at the county commission meeting on Wednesday night, commissioners approved writing a letter of support for the grant request.
“This could potentially help with bringing more from New Bedford, as opposed to trucks having to drive to Woods Hole and be put on the Steamship,” said Martina Thornton, Dukes County Commission manager. “The town of Tisbury will be recommending to the grantor to allow for the grant to go to the Tisbury Towing and Transportation Co.”
According to Packer, an expanded operation could have a significant impact on off-Island transportation. One barge full of sand, for example, would eliminate 33 tractor-trailers from Steamship vessels, and one fuel barge is equivalent to 10 fuel tanker trucks.
She is hopeful that the federal government will see the benefits the project could bring. “The maritime administration wants to support small ports in rural areas that are doing short marine shipping,” said Packer. “They give grants to improve the efficiency and safety of the transportation of freight through ports.”
According to the federal grant outline presented by Packer to the county, Vineyard Haven Harbor is the only deep-water-accessible port on the Island, and TTT operates the only terminal capable of accommodating oversize, overweight, and bulk freight.
Currently TTT has a single ramp at the Tisbury terminal, two tugboats named Sirius and Thuban, two deck barges, and one fuel transport barge. Packer said the company currently transports riprap for the Island’s jetties, the large construction equipment used in the Tisbury School construction project, modular classrooms and modular houses, salt for the roads, fuel for airplanes, and many more vital materials and equipment used around the Island.
Packer said the most efficient way to manage a barging system is with two ramps for docking, loading, and unloading, with two boats operating between each ramp.
But the grant is not guaranteed. TTT has two years left on a permit it has obtained by working with the Army Corps of Engineers, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and the Tisbury select board. Packer said it could take as much as seven years to get another permit if they do not get this grant and finish the construction project.
Getting the grant will help the Packers maintain the business and property.
“It’s vital to the Island,” Debby Packer said about the property. “If it was sold to an off-Island company, we don’t know how the community would be treated. My dad loves this community; he wants to make sure everyone can be here and be treated fairly. I wasn’t sure how we could keep it in the community without this grant.”
“It’s restored all of our hope, and it’s basically going to save our butts,” she said about the possibility of getting the grant.
TTT also received a letter of recommendation from the Martha’s Vineyard Airport.
