Donated to the Steamship Authority by Bill and Sue Ewen of Oak Bluffs, the whistle comes from the ferry Brinckerhoff, a sidewheeler built in 1899 to serve on the Hudson River.

The Steamship Authority said they anticipate ferry service disruptions Wednesday because of the weather; a high wind advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 3 a.m. Thursday. Extra ferry service was added Tuesday for the Martha's Vineyard route.

Islanders who have trouble getting their cars off-Island in the early fall will see some relief next year. Steamship Authority governors agreed this week to modify the fall schedule for earlier trips out of Vineyard Haven.

Islanders and day trippers alike will spend a little more to travel on the Steamship Authority beginning early next year. Parking fees in the off-site ferry lots in Falmouth are also slated to go up in January.

A package of rate hikes for the coming year will be on the table for discussion, including increases to excursion fares. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Oak Bluffs library.