Clash Over Fast Ferries
By JULIA WELLS

Steamship Authority leaders clashed openly yesterday over whether to develop multi-million-dollar high-speed ferry service from the port of New Bedford to the Vineyard — and how the public boat line is going to pay for it.

"This high-speed opportunity from New Bedford has the potential to be the most profitable run in the whole Steamship Authority.

Senior managers at the Steamship Authority knew months in advance that the starboard engine on the New Bedford passenger ferry Schamonchi was likely to fail, the Gazette has learned.

A professional marine survey prepared for the boat line three months ago reported in some detail on the worn condition of the engine. "The machinery, especially the starboard engine, is approaching the end of its useful life, with major overhaul due. The generators are of older vintage. Spare parts will be scarce," wrote Michael L.

Following a late-night discussion that grew cranky at times, the Martha's Vineyard Commission voted narrowly last week to designate a district of critical planning concern for the shorelines of two shellfish-rich ponds in Chilmark.

The vote was 9-6 to approve the Menemsha and Nashaquitsa Ponds DCPC.

Jennie Greene, the appointed member of the commission from Chilmark, fought bitterly to block the DCPC.

"I think this is a slam-dunk that a couple of people put together.

Leaching nitrogen from residential households remains the single biggest threat to the water quality of Lagoon Pond, according to a recently completed water quality study. In a report delivered to the Lagoon Pond Association, its author found significant increases in nitrates entering the pond. The report is based on a series of water samplings conducted last summer.

Bruce Poole of SP Engineering Inc.

Summer of Public Transit
By MANDY LOCKE

The Vineyard Transit Authority is dedicated to making it easy to leave the car at home and ride the bus through the busy summer season.

With the American lobster in short supply in Vineyard waters, the state and federal governments are in the early stages of considering new minimum sizes and catch limits. Hearings are planned for later this summer.