Steamship Situation Called "Untenable" In Woods Hole, Falmouth

To the editor: The situation in Woods Hole and Falmouth has become untenable. The Steamship Authority's mismanagement has turned our communities into gridlocked hazards—endangering pedestrians, blocking emergency access, and jeopardizing local businesses. These are not growing pains; they are signs of a system in failure. And the silence from the Board has been deafening.

Let’s be clear: this is not just about inconvenience—it’s about safety, accountability, and respect for the residents of Falmouth and the thousands who depend on predictable, efficient passage to Martha’s Vineyard. The Authority’s leadership has demonstrated either willful ignorance or stunning incompetence. And the Board, tasked with oversight, appears to be standing on the sidelines as chaos reigns.

We demand action—now.

Chairman Malkin must call an emergency Board meeting immediately to address this crisis. This is no longer optional—it is your duty. At minimum, the following must occur:

1. Immediate cessation of all construction at Woods Hole. Within 48 hours, all equipment and materials must be removed from the parking lot. That space must return to its critical role as a vehicle staging area. Until the traffic nightmare is resolved, no construction can proceed.

2. A traffic mitigation plan delivered within three days. The General Manager must present a concrete, executable plan to eliminate traffic stoppage on Woods Hole’s roads. This must include immediate implementation of remote check-in and holding lots—a solution long discussed but never acted on.

3. Diversion of heavy freight traffic to New Bedford. Two companies are prepared to handle truck traffic now. Why hasn’t the Authority acted? The Board must engage these partners and our sister ports to alleviate the crushing load on Woods Hole.

4. A five-year capacity plan—delivered within 90 days. The public deserves transparency and foresight. This report must address projected growth in passenger and vehicle traffic and include a real plan for scaling operations accordingly.

The residents of Falmouth, Woods Hole, the Islands, and the traveling public deserve competent, accountable leadership—not finger-pointing and excuses. The Authority needs to work with the communities they serve. And we, the people, will not remain silent while our lifeline is being jeopardized.

Thank you,

The Steamship Authority Citizens’ Action Group Steering Committee
Amy Cody
Margaret Hannemann
Alysha Norbury
Beth O’Connor
Nathaniel Trumbull