Information regarding Nantucket Terminal operations

NANTUCKET (October 7, 2026) – Most vessel operations at the Nantucket Terminal will be shifted to the facility’s south vessel slip starting Wednesday afternoon to allow for repairs to be made to a berthing structure in the terminal’s north slip.

The partial closure of the north slip comes following an investigation into a September 30, 2026, incident in which the M/V Woods Hole came into contact with the outermost dolphin, which is a berthing structure, in the terminal’s north slip. Following that incident, it was discovered that the concrete reaction block that sits atop the metal pilings forming the base of the dolphin was damaged. While the reaction block remains loosely connected to the pilings, it is less effective as a safety mechanism to aid vessels in their arrivals and departures at the slip.

The M/V Eagle and M/V Woods Hole will use the south slip, along with the M/V Iyanough, until further notice. The M/V Monomoy will continue to use the north slip due to that vessel’s extra bow thruster, which allows for greater maneuverability while docking.

In consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeast New England and the Town of Nantucket harbormaster, the Authority will place a hazard marker at the pipe pilings to warn mariners of the hazard to navigation.

This partial closure will continue until the dolphin can be fully inspected and the scope of the needed repairs can be determined. The south slip remains fully operational. Travelers should expect minor delays on the high-speed passenger ferry M/V Iyanough due to the north slip being partially out of service.

The Authority is conducting a thorough review of the incident, and it will release further information and service updates as it becomes available.

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