Residents stranded as Boblo Island ferry sits out of service

An undated image of the Boblo Island ferry. (File)

Residents of Bois Blanc Island, more commonly known as Boblo Island, are stranded as the ferry undergoes unexpected repairs.

In an interview with CTV News, Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue, who lives on the island, said the sole operating ferry has been offline since at least Thursday morning.

“There’s been a whole raft of things they’ve tried to do, but it’s to no avail so far,” Prue said. “So, everybody on the island is stuck here, and everybody who wants to get on the island can’t.”

Situated on the Detroit River, the island is owned by Amico Properties, which is also responsible for the Amherstburg Ferry Company.

In an email to residents obtained by CTV News, the ferry operator said it would have to lift the ferry out of the water “once again.”

“After diagnosing the source of the issue, it appears we have to access the rudder external to the ferry. We are now in the midst of getting the operators back to the site, thankfully the cranes are still in place and ready for the lift,” stated the email signed by Jeff Rahm, Amherstburg Ferry Company.

Issued shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, the notice did not provide an estimate for when the ferry will resume services.

For Prue, the latest tie-up is more reason for a second ferry to be re-instated. Due to mechanical issues in the past, a second ferry has not been operational.

“The people on the island know that cars break down, boats break down, everything that’s mechanical will eventually break down, but the question is, in a situation like this, there needs to be a backup ferry,” Prue said.

In late October 2023, the ferry was out of service for more than two weeks. However, at the time, a small boat could be used to transport residents without their vehicles.

Winter weather means residents are unable to leave the island unless they have a medical emergency.

In the event of an emergency, Prue said a fire truck or ambulance would board the ferry, and a tugboat would drag it across the river.

However, the tugboat is not licensed to carry passengers.

As the temperature drops, residents are also being asked to preserve their energy as most homes operate on propane.

“The propane trucks have not been able to come over, and I know in my own case, I’m sitting here with two coats on, we’ve had to turn the heat down to 60 to try to preserve the propane,” he said.

Prue said residents he spoke with are “bitter “ because a second ferry never materialized.

He expects the matter to be discussed at the next Amherstburg council meeting on Jan. 27, but he’s unsure they have any legal standing.

“I would like it reiterated in the strongest possible terms that council is interested in a second ferry, not excuses,” Prue said.