A mechanical issue on a Steamship Authority (SSA) ferry led to multiple cancellations last week, but lower demand amid high winds mitigated travel disruptions.
Sean Driscoll, SSA communications director, said cancellations last Wednesday and Thursday stemmed from a cylinder cover on the engine of the Aquinnah, a freight ferry, that needed to be repaired. He said the repairs were expected to be completed Thursday, but were delayed by the weather. There were gusts of up to 40 mph.
“It’s not causing an issue, because of low travel demand due to weather, so we did not need to bring the [freight ferry] Sankaty in to sub for it,” Driscoll told The Times in a text.
Trips scheduled on the Aquinnah were canceled between early morning on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 at 11:10 am.
The ferry line issued a possible cancellation warning to customers earlier in the week ahead of the high winds. Nearly all trips were diverted from Oak Bluffs to Vineyard Haven, and weather-related cancellations began in the late afternoon on Oct. 20. All of the ferry line’s evening trips after 5 pm Wednesday were canceled.
