Steamship Authority Issues Persist Days After Ransomware Attack

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA — The Steamship Authority's ticketing processes, including online and phone reservations, continue to be affected, the service said Saturday, four days after it fell victim to a ransomware attack.

"Scheduled trips to and from the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket continue to operate safely and as scheduled, although some delays in the ticketing process may occur," the Steamship Authority said.

Customers remain unable to book or change reservations, either online, by phone or at the terminals, so rescheduling and cancellation fees will be waived for those who cannot rebook their travel. The service said it will prioritize island residents who need to travel off-island for medical needs.

Credit cards may be used at some terminals and parking lots, but cash is recommended to expedite the process of completing the transaction.

Cyberattacks like the one that hit the Steamship Authority can cripple operations. In March, the Registry of Motor Vehicles couldn't inspect vehicles for weeks after a malware attack.

"The Steamship Authority is working diligently with its internal team, as well as with third-party experts and local, state, and federal officials externally, to address Wednesday’s incident," the service said. "Thank you to our customers for their continued patience, and thank you to our employees for continuing to rise to the challenges posed by this incident."