We Can Do Better

To the editor:  Saturday May 30 ended up with an unusual weather event that resulted in the cancellation of all ferries returning to the mainland in the afternoon and evening. My phone started ringing around 7 p.m. with calls from the group of nine Florida visitors and six other parties whose planned day trip to the island resulted in them being stranded with no place to stay the night. They were calling me because Nantucket Together operates a Stranded Traveler/Emergency Lodging service and an internet search directed them to us. Their story has been published in local print and electronic newsletters.

Although I directed to them to the lodging association, rooms were not available or only at a premium, even for a room that otherwise would have been empty. A search of our opt-in vacation rental owners revealed that all who volunteer to offer emergency housing already had renters in their homes. I also suggested they post on various Nantucket Facebook pages, and perhaps that is how Pauline Proch from Our House learned of the plight of the nine Florida visitors and was able to help them. A huge Kudos to Pauline and her staff, and I hope some new donations flow her way.

This could have been a public safety issue with dozens of people forced to spend the night outdoors on park benches in the rain, with winds strong enough to beach many boats in the harbor. The fact that it was not the dead of winter seems irrelevant. No central point of authority or policy exists to provide a coordinated response this type of situation.

Nantucket Together founded its initiative several years ago when suggestions to Visitor Services that they include vacation rental references along with traditional lodging were turned down due to ‘liability issues’. This, despite the fact that all registered STRs must carry and show proof of at least $1 million in liability insurance.

And although it is not well-known, Airbnb’s non-profit arm (Airbnb.org) operates a worldwide program that offers discounted or free lodging to travelers (or neighbors) in emergency situations for short or long-term stays. Current Airbnb hosts can opt in to participate (Airbnb can pay the host’s going rate if needed by the affected party or hosts can offer discounts or free stays). Those who do not use Airbnb to rent their homes can also opt in for emergency hosting only, and there is no cost to do so. All Airbnb requires is a local non-profit or government agency to ‘vet’ the emergency. This program is mostly used for large-scale natural disasters but I believe it is worth pursuing and have contacted them.

We are entering the heart of the visitor season, and this is not an isolated incident. Last summer we were contacted by full-week visitors who checked out of their lodging before the ferries were canceled and were unable to check back in due to new guests arriving. This is not unusual. Our community leadership can and should do better to provide a coordinated and effective response.

Kathy Baird
Nantucket Together