MV Woods Hole is a passenger and vehicle ferry operated by the Steamship Authority.

MV Woods Hole
Woods Hole docked in Hyannis, August 2021
History
OwnerSteamship Authority
OrderedDecember 2014[1]
BuilderConrad Shipyard[1]
Cost$40.4 million[2]
ChristenedMay 20, 2016 (2016-05-20)
Maiden voyageJune 17, 2016[3]
HomeportWoods Hole, Massachusetts
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Length235 feet (72 m)[3]
Beam64 feet (20 m)[3]
Draft10.5 feet (3.2 m)[3]
Speed14.5 knots (16.7 mph)[2]
Capacity385 people, 55 cars[2]

The Authority awarded the vessel's $40.4 million[2] construction contract to Conrad Shipyard, located in Morgan City, Louisiana, in December 2014.[1] Construction was completed in 2016, and Woods Hole was christened on May 20, after which she underwent dockside and sea trials before traveling north to her namesake city.[2] On June 13, she was commissioned into the Authority's fleet during a ceremony in Woods Hole, and began regular service four days later.[3] During her first few months in operation, she displayed a tendency to generate an excessive bow wave; while not impeding her operations, the Authority made some modifications in an attempt to correct the issue.[4]

Woods Hole was built to a design from the Elliott Bay Design Group,[1] and is 235 feet (72 m) long, with a 64 feet (20 m) beam and a loaded draft of 10.5 feet (3.2 m).[3] She can carry 385 people, and has a vehicle capacity of up to 10 tractor trailer trucks or 55 cars.[2] She is powered by two MTU diesel engines, with a service speed of 14.5 knots (16.7 mph)[3][2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Thar She Blows, Woods Hole Ferry Makes Its Way North". Vineyard Gazette. May 26, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Martha's Vineyard welcomes new SSA ferry Woods Hole". Martha's Vineyard Times. June 13, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  3. ^ "SSA continues to wrestle with Woods Hole ferry design fix". Martha's Vineyard Times. August 17, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.