Widespread Cancellations Across Massachusetts
A powerful nor’easter currently sweeping through Massachusetts has forced a widespread suspension of ferry services across the state. As of Friday, September 25, 2026, multiple major operators, including the Steamship Authority, Boston Harbor City Cruises, Seastreak, and Hy-Line, have announced cancellations that are expected to persist through the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued high wind warnings and coastal flood advisories, with officials warning of wind gusts reaching 55 miles per hour and sea swells projected to hit 10 to 15 feet.
Safety and Operational Challenges
For ferry operators, the decision to halt service is driven by both passenger safety and vessel stability. Bob Lawler, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Boston Harbor City Cruises, noted that while some cancellations occur even in clearer conditions, the current threat level is extreme. “Once the wind kicks up… and the seas get above three, four, five feet, and we’re expecting 10-to-15-foot seas out there this weekend… that’s too much for us to go,” Lawler explained to Boston 25 News.
The operational impact is significant. Boston Harbor City Cruises has grounded its Provincetown and Salem routes, along with whale-watching excursions. Similarly, the Vineyard Gazette reports that the Chappy Ferry ceased operations by Friday noon, and the Steamship Authority is managing its remaining routes on a trip-by-trip basis, with potential diversions of vessels headed for Oak Bluffs to Vineyard Haven to minimize risk.
Infrastructure Resilience
Coastal infrastructure is being tested by the approaching high tides. In Boston, crews have deployed sandbags at Long Wharf to mitigate potential flooding. While recent investments in infrastructure have improved resilience—such as the 2024 replacement of pilings at Long Wharf with structures four feet taller—the severity of this weekend’s storm remains a significant challenge. Operators have confirmed that vessels are being securely moored and that standby crews are on-site to monitor conditions until services can safely resume, likely by the start of the new work week.