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Ferry crash cost Steamship Authority $1.7m
By Alyssa Meyers
Globe Correspondent

After crashing into a jetty off the coast of Hyannis on June 16, the Iyanough ferry is back in service, but the collision cost the Steamship Authority $1.7 million, officials said.

The high-speed ferry, which transports passengers between Cape Cod and Nantucket, was out of commission for 30 days, said Steamship Authority general manager Robert Davis.

In that time, the ferry service lost just over $1 million in revenue from passenger fares, Davis said. The service also lost around $500,000 in revenue from parking fees and concessions while the Iyanough was out of commission.

Davis said the Steamship Authority spent around $450,000 to charter two replacement vessels for the Iyanough, which were used interchangeably for the month.

The replacement vessels brought in about $600,000 in revenue, Davis said.

“More importantly, it was able to provide our customers with a high-speed option,’’ he said.

Repairs to the Iyanough cost about $500,000 and were covered by insurance, Davis said, minus a $50,000 deductible.

The Steamship Authority paid employees in the shipyard overtime to get the vessel back in service as soon as possible, and those costs will probably not be covered by insurance, according to the minutes from an Aug. 2 meeting of the Steamship Authority’s Port Council.

Following the crash, which sent 15 people to the hospital, the ferry’s captain and pilot were placed on administrative leave, but returned to work as relief pilots during the first week of July, the Globe reported July 18.

Neither the captain, Karl Riddar, nor the pilot, Thomas Manley, was allowed to captain a boat or work on the Iyanough, Davis said at the time.

Although the ferry was unable to operate for a month during its peak season, causing customers to make alternative travel arrangements, Davis said the vessel is operating smoothly now, much to the relief of its passengers.

“Customers are very happy that it is back,’’ he said. “It’s important as part of the transportation network on the Nantucket routes, for islanders and visitors alike.’’

Alyssa Meyers can be reached at alyssa.meyers@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @ameyers_.