On the Boat

The Steamship Authority is a public instrumentality created by the Massachusetts legislature to provide water transportation services to residents and visitors of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard islands, Mass. Established in 1818, it offers year-round service for automobiles, trucks and passengers. It acquires, maintains and operates a boat line between the mainland ports of Woods Hole and Hyannis and Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket islands. The authority licenses private ferry operators to provide passenger service between New Bedford and Oak Bluffs; New Bedford and Vineyard Haven; Falmouth and Edgartown; Hyannis and Oak Bluffs; Hyannis and Nantucket; and Harwichport and Nantucket in Massachusetts. It owns and operates year-round and seasonal parking lots. The authority also has a vessel maintenance facility and a receiving warehouse. It is located in Woods Hole, Mass., with various ferry terminals.