WOODS HOLE — The Steamship Authority freight boat that lost some of its steering ability yesterday has been repaired and had a successful sea trial with the Coast Guard, according to the ferry line.
The Katama was on its 5:20 p.m. trip from Vineyard Haven to Woods Hole Monday with 78 people and 29 vehicles aboard when it lost some steering outside of the Woods Hole passage.
The boat was escorted by two tugboats back to Vineyard Haven and repaired overnight, according to Steamship Authority spokesman Sean Driscoll.
The Coast Guard went out on Tuesday to inspect the 235-foot-long ferry. Driscoll said that the Katama was headed to Woods Hole to drop off the Coast Guard and then would proceed to Fairhaven for a more thorough review. The boat was being escorted by a tugboat but was not being towed, he said.
The Gay Head is running in place of the Katama, and the Steamship Authority told customers to expect delays since only one slip was available in Vineyard Haven while the Katama undergoes repairs.
