Steamship workers discovered Friday that the Eagle ferry’s bow thruster was leaking gear lubricant, forcing the boat to go to the shipyard for repairs.
Steamship Authority vehicle reservations for the weekend are temporarily on hold after a ferry on the Nantucket route broke down, forcing the ferry line to shuffle several boats around.
Steamship workers discovered Friday that the Eagle ferry’s bow thruster was leaking gear lubricant, forcing the boat to go to the shipyard for repairs, the Steamship Authority said in a statement Friday afternoon.
To make up for its absence, the Steamship Authority was sending the Katama ferry to Hyannis to resume service Friday evening. The Woods Hole ferry was also being sent to Nantucket to take over the Eagle’s schedule starting Saturday morning, cancelling two round trips that the Woods Hole was supposed to make on the Vineyard route on Friday and Saturday.
The Katama will run in the Woods Hole’s place starting with the 8:35 a.m. departure from Woods Hole.
“All trips for today, Saturday, and Sunday are currently unavailable for booking as we work to accomdate displaced vehicles,” spokesperson Sean Driscoll said. “Booking may reopen over the weekend.”
Comments
Not a good sign for the 2024
Tom Woodman OstervilleNot a good sign for the 2024 season. The Eagle is as important for the Hyannis/Nantucket route as the Island Home is to the Woods Hole/Vineyard Haven route. it's their workhorse. Normally the vessel Woods Hole runs the summer and fall schedule with the Eagle between Hyannis and Nantucket and is their freight vessel late fall and early winter. I guess the MV Nantucket wasn't available to fill in for the Eagles as it's being repaired.
Is anyone surprised?
Susan Desmarais Oak BluffsIs anyone surprised?
Mr. Malkin, time to step up
Enough Already Oak BluffsMr. Malkin, time to step up and advocate for the island. I've only been here 30 years but I don't remember a time when the SSA was so inconsistent with it's service. You're supposed to be our "lifeline" to the mainland. Of course crap happens but it seems like the SSA is drowning in a sea of crap that is mostly a result of their own incompetence. We need better maintenance of the vessels and better recruitment of staff. The staffing problem would sure be a lot better if they hadn't fired people for not getting a vaccine that was useless. Poor management from top to bottom.
Enough All Ready , Mr. Malkin
Darren S Welch Vineyard HavenEnough All Ready , Mr. Malkin does an exceptional job. The problem is it's a 5 person board of govenors panel. Bob Davis has New Bedford,Barnstable and Nantucket in his pocket.. So it makes it tough to make headway with a stacked panel.
I think the Steamship
Tisburian TisburyI think the Steamship Authority ought to look at the prevetative maintenance program. There seems to be an aweful lot of breakdowns happening more frequently.
This bad decision disrupted
Joanne C Lambert Vineyard HavenThis bad decision disrupted many lives: Vineyarders counting on getting home, family members trying to be with people in need. The lack of communication in Woods Hole on Friday evening is unacceptable.
the new website is going live
Michael edgartownthe new website is going live soon. how many millions did that need to finish, considering that the current one works fine.....one thing about new and enhanced websites, its all the same info, only in different places, with different colors. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
Not enough boats, forget
Ken Edg.Not enough boats, forget about the terminal. When you have a reservation there needs to be a back up plan. You just cant tell people to pound sand.
Rates go up and the system
MarieRates go up and the system gets worse
Was the tunnel ever a possibility? Visitors could still be required to make a reservation. Islanders get an Easy-Pass device
First time to Nantucket and I
Carmen SolomonsFirst time to Nantucket and I made my reservations months ago. SSA already made me take an earlier boat coming back and now I’ve been told there is no 12:00 ferry; I’m just out of luck and now my car will be on standby. What kind of clowns are running this place? Nobody even called, I was sent a text that the trip was cancelled. I have an elderly dog and he needs a stroller, I brought my bike to see the island and now I’m not even sure I will have all the things I need on Nantucket because I’m being separated from my car. I have spent thousands of dollars to rent a place over on Nantucket and paid $750 round trip to take my car over and now I have no idea if I will have the things I need. This is the first and only time I will visit your island when the ferry system is run so poorly. Outer Banks here I come next year; who needs this crap!!!
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