M/V Katama was stranded at sea Monday evening due to a loss of steering power.
Mark Alan Lovewell

Freight Ferry Katama Loses Steering at Sea

The Katama lost steering in Vineyard Sound Monday evening, forcing two tugboats to guide it back to the Island.

A Steamship Authority freight boat from Vineyard Haven to Woods Hole lost steering power during its passage in the Vineyard Sound near Nobska Light Monday evening, forcing two tugboats to guide it back to the Island.

“During its scheduled 5:20 p.m. trip from Vineyard Haven to Woods Hole this evening, the M/V Katama lost steering capabilities outside of Woods Hole passage,” according to a post from the Steamship Authority’s Twitter account. “The vessel still has propulsion and power.”

There were 78 passengers on the boat, as well as seven crew and 29 vehicles, according to the release. 

“Our crew members are making regular announcements and are able to keep the vessel positioned in such a way so as to not affect the passage of other vessels in the area,” another Twitter post from the SSA reads. “There have been no injuries and those on board are in no danger.”

Upon approval from the Coast Guard the Katama returned to Vineyard Haven, where the boat docked at 8:15 p.m., a press release from the SSA confirmed. Passengers and vehicles were tansferred to the M/V Martha's Vineyard and arrived in Woods Hole at approximately 9:15 p.m.

The 5:30 a.m. M/V Katama run from the Vineyard to Woods Hole has been canceled but the M/V Gay Head will take over the runs starting with the 6:30 a.m. trip to the Vineyard.

In addition, the SSA is reported some mechanical issues with the M/V Martha's Vineyard on Tuesday morning. The 9:30 a.m. run from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven and the 10:45 a.m. run from Vineyard Haven to Woods Hole were canceled due to an emergency generator issue, but at present the ferry has been cleared by the Coast Guard to resume its regular schedule.

 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/24/2019 - 11:18

Permalink

island girl island

Aside from a certain curiosity about redundancy and back up systems for the important major components of the ferries, I am thankful for the tug boat crews who, once again, have faultlessly and flawlessly performed their jobs, and saved the day. I don't know whether it was local tugs such as the THUBAN, SIRIUS, and/or the JAGUAR who went to rescue the KATAMA, or ? but thanks guys!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/24/2019 - 20:50

Permalink

T Bone Oak Bluffs

All I want for Christmas is a Steamship Authority that works. Please don’t call up another consultants study. Just hire people in leadership who know what the heck they’re doing.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/28/2019 - 13:31

Permalink

Marty Milner Tallahassee

WHOI operates an oceangoing fleet out of the same port. It can be done. Do it!

Add new comment

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.