WASHINGTON ISLAND, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The newest member of the Washington Island Ferry Line is on the job.
“The Madonna” is the biggest of the fleet, and company officials say the boat will help fill the demand for service for decades to come.
On a typical sunny weekday morning, traffic at the Northport Pier is funneling across the newly-designed dock, and onto the 124-foot-long Madonna.
The ferry has been making the 4.5-mile trip between the tip of Door County and Washington Island for about 10 days.
“It checks all the boxes that we were hoping for. It’s still that new car, were you’re figuring out exactly where all the buttons are, that muscle memory is coming,” said Hoyt Purinton, Washington Island Ferry Line President.
Purinton tells FOX 11 the Madonna can carry 150 passengers, and up to 28 vehicles as well. The 15-foot overhead design allows big trucks to fit on deck.
“It’s very typical for the first couple of hours of the morning, a lot of commercial traffic. A lot of semis. Food, building supplies. All those things you need to sustain life, come in larger vehicles.”
The Madonna is the fifth vessel in the fleet. Purinton says the boats can make anywhere from 22-40 round trips per day, based on demand. What do passengers think?
“I was a little nervous driving through that narrow area, but there was plenty of room, and it’s nice to see everybody fit on the boat. It’s my maiden voyage on the Madonna, and I got to say, I’m pretty captivated by it,” said J.R. Jarosh, Jacksonport.
“I love it. I’ve heard stories about it. My father works at Bay Ship, and had a hand in building this boat. So when I get home, I’ll definitely be able to tell him how it rode,” said Craig Schumacher, Sturgeon Bay.
After about a half-hour trip, the Madonna arrives at Detroit Harbor. Traffic rolls out, and the visitors are ready to explore the Island.
“It gives us a whole lot of ability to serve. Something that we haven’t had in the past, in a lot of seasons,” said Purinton.
The Madonna was built at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay. Officials say a big test for the boat will come this winter, because the ferry also doubles as an icebreaker.
Comments