Safety
Fishing line sends the ferry Woods Hole into dry dock for a bow-thruster seal
The Vineyard Gazette reported on 3 November 2026 that the Steamship Authority ferry Woods Hole went to dry dock after monofilament fishing line wrapped a seal on its bow thruster. Engineering director Zachary Lawrence said the ship was at Thames Shipyard in New London on 26 October and back in the water on 29 October.
Source: The Vineyard Gazette (opens in a new tab)
The Vineyard Gazette reported on 3 November 2026 that the Steamship Authority’s M/V Woods Hole made an unscheduled trip to dry dock last week. Engineers replaced a dislodged seal on its bow thruster system that had become wound up with fishing line.
Zachary Lawrence, director of engineering and maintenance, told Tuesday’s port council meeting: “We found a bunch of monofilament fishing line wrapped around the sealing surface.” He displayed photos of the fishing line and the damaged seal. The Gazette said those photos are also posted on the Steamship Authority’s website with other documents from the port council meeting.
Lawrence said the Woods Hole traveled to the Thames Shipyard dry dock in New London, Conn. on Oct. 26 and was back in the water Oct. 29 following the repair.