KATAMA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Crew member tested positive for COVID-19

A crew member of the 'Katama' tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan 29, 2021. The Steamship Authority was taking additional preventative steps to ensure the safety of the public and its employees. Due to their typical work duties, the employee was unlikely to have any prolonged exposure with any member of the public during their work hours. He last worked on the vessel on Jan 26 on all four of the vessel’s scheduled round trips. He subsequently felt ill and received a test for COVID-19; after receiving the positive test result, the employee immediately notified the Authority. The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and Cape Cod Healthcare have agreed to arrange for COVID-19 testing for those vessel employees who have been identified as being in close contact with the affected employees. They 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. No operational changes or interruptions were anticipated because of the incident. Each night hospital-grade disinfectants are used on board all vessels to perform a cleaning of both public and employee areas.

Ferry lost steering power

The 'Katama', en route from Vineyard Haven to Woods Hole, lost steering power near Nobska Light in the evening of Dec 23, 2019. The vessel required two tugs to escort it back to Vineyard Haven. It had still retained its propulsion. There were 78 passengers on board as well as seven crew members and 29 vehicles. Upon approval from the US Coast Guard, the vessel returned to Vineyard Haven, where the it berthed at 8.15 p.m. After the arrival, the passengers and vehicles were transferred to the 'Martha's Vineyard' and arrived in Woods Hole at 9.15 p.m. The 05.30 a.m. service on Dec 24 from the Vineyard to Woods Hole has been cancelled. Authority engineering and maintenance personnel were on board to diagnose and repair the vessel.

Ferry under repair after engine failure

The "Katama" suffered an engine failure while traveling to Vineyard Haven on its 6:30 a.m. trip from Woods Hole on Oct 16, 2018. The Coast Guard gave permission for the vessel to return to Woods Hole under the power of one engine. All trips for the day have been canceled, and the vessel headed to the SSA’s Fairhaven repair facility. Steamship Authority personnel were in the process of evaluating the vessel and determining a course of action for the vessel’s subsequent sailings. The ferry "Island Home" has been moved around in the schedule to accommodate gaps in service, spending the night in Vineyard Haven and consequently missing her last run at 9:30 p.m. The last trip departing Vineyard Haven on Oct 16 was the "Governor", sailing at 8:45 p.m. the "Katama" remained in Fairhaven also on Oct 17, resulting in further changes of the schedule.