Community Corner
Two Whistle Pass: Chappy Ferry Meets Steamship in Vineyard Haven Harbor
Did you see On Time III on its open-water journey from Chappaquiddick to Vineyard Haven Sunday? Tell us in the comments.
Originally posted Oct. 21, 2013
On Time III is one of two Chappaquiddick car ferries whose regular route takes them "Back and Forth Between Two Worlds, 527 Feet Apart," in the words of "Chappy Ferry" book authors Tom Dunlop and Alison Shaw.
But every so often, the Chappy ferry leaves its well-worn path at the neck of Edgartown Harbor and voyages to Vineyard Haven for maintenance and inspection.
The trip is supposed to take place every other year, but in 2013 On Time III has already been to Vineyard Haven twice: Initially hauled just after Labor Day, the ferry was hastily called back into service when waiting cars backed up in Edgartown.
Saturday afternoon, ferry captain George Fisher took On Time III for its second voyage to Vineyard Haven Harbor, which he said took about two hours from Edgartown Harbor to Tisbury Wharf.
In our video, you can see the arriving On Time III and departing Steamship Authority vessel Martha's Vineyard in what mariners call a "two-whistle pass": starboard side to starboard side.
Had the two ferries employed the standard "one-whistle," port-to-port pass, this video shot from Beach Road would have shown On Time III disappearing behind the SSA boat and then reappearing again.
Shutterbugs and ferry fanciers will have another chance to see On Time III on open water in a few days, after the scheduled overhaul is completed.
Voyage of the Chappy Ferry: Watch another video here.
Did you see On Time III on its journey Sunday? Tell us in the comments.