NANTUCKET

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Allision in Oak Bluffs

The 'Nantucket' was in allision with a concrete piling at the Steamship Authority’s Oak Bluffs terminal at Marthas Vineyard on Oct 2, 2023, and had to be taken out of service for inspections. The vessel was making a trip to the Oak Bluffs terminal in the afternoon when, due to tide and wind conditions, the ship's stern swung out of position and allided with the piling. No injuries were reported among the 121 passengers, and the vessel was able to offload them and 44 vehicles. There was no damage to the dock, and following inspection by the vessel’s crew, a minor damage was found on the ferry's protective rub railing. But with permission from the Coast Guard, the vessel returned to Woods Hole with another load of 45 vehicles and 364 passengers on board, where it was later repaired. The remainder of the vessel’s scheduled trips were canceled for the evening. The service was expected to resume in the morning of Oct 3, after the U.S. Coast Guard approved a rewelded seam that was damaged as a result of the collision.

Rudder failure off Vineyard Haven

The 'Nantucket', en route to Vineyard Haven on Nov 7, suffered a rudder failure at noon and was taken out of service for troubleshooting. The 'Gay Head' was inserted as a replacement ferry. Repairs were completed in the evening of Nov 7, and the vessel returned to service on Nov 8.

Crew members tested positive for COVID-19

Two Steamship Authority crew members have tested positive for the coronavirus, one on the 'Martha’s Vineyard' and one on the 'Nantucket'. The 'Martha’s Vineyard' crew member last worked on a Vineyard route shift that began at noon on Jan. 10, 2021, and ended at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 11. He was subsequently was identified as being in close contact with individuals who tested positive for COVID-19; the crew member then obtained a test, the results of which were positive. The 'Nantucket' crew member last worked on a shift that began on Jan 7 at 2:45 p.m. and ended on Jan 8 at 2:15 p.m. He subsequently learned that a relative with whom there had been close contact had tested positive for COVID-19. The employee fell ill and obtained a test, the results of which were positive. The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and Cape Cod Healthcare will help furnish COVID-19 testing for employees from both ferries who may have had close contact with the infected crewmembers, according to a release. These employees will not be allowed to return to work until after a negative test result is received or are cleared to work by a medical professional.