Several trips aboard the Steamship’s newest ferry were cancelled this week after workers discovered a blockage in some of the vessel’s sanitation pipes. 

On Sunday, the day after it went into service, the ferry line had to pull the M/V Aquinnah out of service for four trips due to the bathroom backups. Cancellations also spilled into Monday as the Steamship Authority dealt with the issue aboard the freight boat. 

Sean Driscoll, the Steamship’s communications director, said the ferry line discovered that the sanitation pipes were not draining properly. 

“The women’s and the ADA heads on the vessel were unable to properly drain, both due to a piping configuration issue that was exacerbated by paper towels and other unflushable items being found in the lines,” Mr. Driscoll said. “The drains were snaked out, and a plan is being developed to address the piping issue.”

The M/V Aquinnah was welcomed to the Steamship Authority fleet in a ceremony in May and went into service on the Vineyard route on Saturday. The ferry previously worked in the oil and gas industry before it was converted into an open freight boat. 

It is one of three identical vessels purchased by the Steamship Authority in recent years.

Passengers were put aboard other vessels during this week's cancellations, according to the authority.