KATAMA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Sailings cancelled due to fuel issue

On Dec 11, 2024, the 'Katama' suffered a fuel issue, which was resolved in time to sail again starting with a delayed 10:45 a.m. trip from Woods Hole, canceled the 7 a.m. departure from Vineyard Haven, the 8:15 a.m. departure from Woods Hole and the 9:30 a.m. departure from Vineyard Haven. The issue follows two days in which the 'Island Home' had to cancel sailings due to a reduction pressure relief valve that needed to be replaced. The 'Island Home' was still waiting in Woods Hole for repairs as of Dec 11, as a technician had to bring a replacement part from Louisiana first. The ferry line had warned passengers there may be cutoffs for passengers and vehicles since the 'Katama' is smaller than the 'Island Home'.

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.