Martha's Vineyard ferry sidelined by mechanical problem. Here's what happened

Asad Jung, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

The M/V Island Home was back online Friday morning, after being taken out of service Thursday evening due to a problem with the vessel’s coolant system, according to Steamship Authority Communications Director Sean Driscoll.

The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority sent out a statement Thursday evening around 7 p.m. that the M/V Island Home would not run for the rest of the evening due to an unanticipated mechanical failure.

A diagnosis of the problem was conducted Friday morning, and found sediments in the water jacket, which is part of the coolant system, according to Driscoll.

The sediments were flushed out and the M/V Island Home was able to be back in service Friday morning. The coolant will be replaced Friday night, said Driscoll.

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Who was affected by Martha's Vineyard ferry being taken out of service?

The M/V Island Home was back online Friday morning, Oct. 14, after being taken out of service Thursday evening due to a problem with the vessel’s coolant system. Above, the Island Home makes its way from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard in this file photo from last year.
The M/V Island Home was back online Friday morning, Oct. 14, after being taken out of service Thursday evening due to a problem with the vessel’s coolant system. Above, the Island Home makes its way from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard in this file photo from last year.

Sixteen passengers travelling from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard were affected by the disruption, Driscoll said. Six of those passengers had intended to take their vehicles on the ferry from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard, but instead opted to leave their vehicles in Woods Hole and travel to Martha’s Vineyard as passengers, Driscoll said. The Steamship Authority provided parking permits for the customers.

Ten other reservations from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard could not be accommodated, said Driscoll.

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All passengers traveling from Martha’s Vineyard to Woods Hole were still able to make their trips, with some delays, Driscoll said.

The M/V Island Home is a relatively young vessel, around 15 years old, according to a useful life/functional obsolescence report conducted by Marine Safety Consultants, Inc. In April.

Contact Asad Jung at ajung@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @asadjungcct

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mechanical failure sidelines Martha's Vineyard ferry for a day