The boat line continued an inch-by-inch process of manually piecing operations back together following the attack last week that shut down its website.
The Steamship Authority Wednesday continued an inch-by-inch process of manually piecing operations back together following the ransomware attack last week that shut down its website and IT systems.
With the website still down, the boat line announced Wednesday that Islanders with preferred reservation status could book and change reservations in person at any of the five ferry terminals.
In addition, reservations can be booked or changed by calling the Mashpee reservation office. The telephone number is 508-477-8600.
Phone reservations are not restricted to people with preferred space status (reserved for seasonal and full time residents with profile numbers and people seeking medical appointments).
New reservations can be made for travel through June 16, the boat line said in an update Wednesday.
Extended hours at the Mashpee reservation office were announced Tuesday, with phone lines open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday.
Existing reservations are being honored and fees are being waived for cancellations and changes.
Some credit card access is available but customers are still encouraged to use cash to speed ticketing processes.
No other information was available about the ransomware attack which occurred last Wednesday morning. Boat line managers have been staying mum about the problem.
All else remained status quo Wednesday, as ferries ran on schedule and the boat line IT systems remained hobbled from the attack.
All non-reservation vehicle travel is being handled manually via standby.
A temporary web page lists schedules, fares, ticketing and parking information.
“We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience,” a statement on the temporary site said.
“We’ll be back soon!” a message posted on the boat line main website said Monday.
The message provides a link to the web page with schedules and explains the current ticketing process and other information, reiterating the waiving of fees for reservation changes or cancellations and encouraging the use of cash for transactions.
The message also said:
“The Steamship Authority continues to work with its internal team, as well as with third-party experts and local, state, and federal officials, to address the effects of the incident.
“Thank you to everyone for their continued patience.”
A form of malware that encrypts IT systems until a payment is provided, ransomware attacks have become increasingly common throughout the United States, crippling vital infrastructure from oil pipelines to the meatpacking industry to transportation. The Biden administration has called ransomware attacks a rising national security concern.
At the Vineyard Haven terminal Monday afternoon it was calm and quiet, both inside the ticket office and in the parking lot, where cars queued up in the standby line for a 4 p.m. departing ferry. The smell of salt air mingled with the faint scent of diesel fuel, as a ferry pulled into the slip.
Linda Talbott and her husband Pepsi were in the standby line headed off the Island after spending time at their home on Chappaquiddick.
Ms. Talbott said she had called in the morning to ask about the standby line but no one answered the phone. “If they don’t fix it in the next week or so there’s going to be some crazy people,” she said.
Rebecca and Lisa Berlow were in line too, having come to the Vineyard to visit their mother. They had an 8 p.m. reservation but thought they would try to leave earlier.
They praised the way the boat line had handled the problems.
“If you’re confident about the system and the way that they manage standby, they’ve done a great job.” said Lisa, adding: “People have been so polite, patient, and appreciative and understanding,” she added.
Aliyah Walker contributed reporting.

Comments
Day nine of the SSA website
Mary Oak BluffsDay nine of the SSA website down. Should we take up a collection to pay the ransom?
The fact that this is not
Bill Katama BillThe fact that this is not resolved, means its more serious. I would check your credit card statements.
They don't store your credit
Mark EdgartownThey don't store your credit card information.
Just called to change return
Kevin Oak BluffJust called to change return reservation. Phone was picked up quickly and change to return trip transaction took 1 minute! They had my trip history too!
I'm a senior citizen and find
grapes Vineyard HavenI'm a senior citizen and find it quite disturbing that because of the incompetence 0f the SSA that i am now FORCED to pay $1.50 more per ticket. When i load 10 swipes on my Senior Lifeline Card the coast is $35 ,but for the past 9 days -i 've had to pay $5 per paper ticket-This should not be happening and should make the SSA even more ashamed of themselves-although i don't think they care-they show absolutely no remorse at all. GOUGED in VH
Phone lines should be
fact checker edgPhone lines should be answered 24/7 until this is resolved.
The oil pipeline hack was
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgatownThe oil pipeline hack was paid millions from that company in cryptocurrency and the only thing good since Biden got in is the fact that the FBI was able to find out who was paid by the oil company and and they intercepted the crypto payment and they are going after them.They should get life with no parole So much for cryptocurrency being untraceable. Back to real money I guess.Maybe the feds can trace the scum that are holding up the SSA. And that's a federal offense because they are doing it thru the internet and that is crossing state lines.
Been trying to call since the
ZephyrBeen trying to call since the article went up and have heard nothing but a busy signal.
The front-line folks
MDW EdgartownThe front-line folks answering the phones are doing a great job with a tough situation at a difficult time. They deserve our thanks and civility.
I have honestly never had a
JT MVI have honestly never had a bad experience talking to someone on SSA line. Always friendly and professional. I'm talking decades.
It's nice to hear some people
ZephyrIt's nice to hear some people are happy with the customer service as opposed to the rude and completely unhelpful person I encountered when I went into the ticketing office to ask some questions. I called repeatedly all day today and never got anything but a busy signal.
Is there a lifeline for the
Lifesaver OBIs there a lifeline for the Lifeline?
Here's an idea. cut back on
gina Menemsha/NYCHere's an idea. cut back on the back & forth ferry travel.. yrs ago it was OK pre internet. so. should be even easier. Let them re organize .. .
I can't for the life of me
Kelce OBI can't for the life of me make any sense out of what you posted. Do you want to try again?
Sure .. Many yrs ago there
gina Menemsha/NYCSure .. Many yrs ago there was a lot less commuting . back & forth to the mainland. for basic shopping etc.. visitors came & stayed longer reservations done via phone or even God forbid the US Mail in advance !!!
I realize the MV population explosion but it's a changing environment so live w/ it & maybe not travel off Island so much.. .
Since it may be really hard
Zeke R Aquinnah/MarylandSince it may be really hard to get through, shouldn't the SSA consider extending it's telephone calling hours?
I have been trying to call to
UpislanderI have been trying to call to get two trips moved from this weekend for the last 4 days and all I get is busy signals. I expect full refunds even if they go unused. Why they cant at least answer the phone when their systems are impaired is truly unbelievable. I used to give the steamship the benefit of the doubt.....but this incident has really changed their standing in my eyes.....
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