VT Halter Marine, Inc. launched the Island Home, a 255 ft. double-ended ferry built for The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamship Authority (SSA), on July 21. The Island Home will replace the
Islander, a 56-year old ferry currently serving the Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven route.
The Island Home was designed by
Elliott Bay Design Group of Seattle and is capable of carrying up to 1,200 passengers and crew in comfort and safety. The ferry will also carry 76 vehicles (cars and semi-trailers) and includes hydraulic lift decks for 16 cars. Displacing nearly 1,950 tons when fully loaded and powered by two direct drive EMD diesel engines delivering 6000 hp, it has a top speed of 16 knots.