Amid rising concerns over the Steamship Authority, Vineyard governor Marc Hanover said Wednesday that he will not seek reappointment after all.

Mr. Hanover, whose appointment is up next month, had said last week that he would seek reappointment to another three-year term. Citing the need for consistency on the board after 15 years as governor, Mr. Hanover said he hoped to serve a sixth term.

In a sharp reversal, Mr. Hanover emailed the Dukes County Commission Wednesday morning to say he would step down at the end of his term.

“I have decided not to seek reappointment . . . I have other commitments that are going to require more of my time and I feel that I would not have the time needed to represent you and the Island well,” he wrote in part.

“I thank you for your many years of support and feel that the Steamship Authority is now in a much better position to be successful in the future.

“It has been a privilege to serve you and the island of Martha’s Vineyard.”

Contacted by phone Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Hanover said his change of heart had come about after recent reflection.

“I have some business things things going on, and one of them manifested itself on Friday,” he said. “It just seemed like the right time.”

He added: “I throughly enjoyed doing this and I feel I’m leaving it in far better shape . . .  the HMS study [an external management review conducted last year] and the people we’ve put in place will make a huge difference.”

His announcement comes one day after the boat line website crashed on the opening day for summer car reservations to the Vineyard, sparking a wide outcry from frustrated customers. The problem was fixed by day’s end, but it did little to soften what many Vineyarders say is a growing crisis in confidence in the boat line that is their lifeline.

Meanwhile, county manager Martina Thornton confirmed Wednesday that the commission, which is the appointing authority for the Vineyard boat line representative, had received two more applications for the position.

Letters of interest and resumes were received from Allen Carney, a marketing and sales technology consultant who lives in Aquinnah, and Angela Cywinski, a Tisbury resident who formerly worked as the principal assessor in Aquinnah.

The candidates join two others who had already submitted letters of interest and resumes to the commission: James Malkin, a second-term Chilmark selectman and retired business executive with a background in transportation; and Michael Lyons, an Oak Bluffs resident and truck driver who is a 2008 graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

The deadline for applications is Jan. 31.

Ms. Thornton said interviews are still scheduled for Feb. 5.

The county commission is expected to vote on March 4, she said.

Mr. Hanover, who just took over as chairman of the board, said he would attend the February meeting and would stay on longer if he is needed.