STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A new and improved Washington Island Ferry is in the running to be The Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin.
It is not even built yet, but Fincantieri Bay Ship Building is rolling out the 124 foot Ice Breaking Ferry.
“This ferry which is 124 feet in length and 40 feet wide will be built with winter icebreaking capabilities which I think is a cool thing.”
CEO of the Washington Island Ferry Line Richard Purinton says it will hold up to 28 vehicles and 150 passengers.
Purinton says it is special because it does not happen very often.
“The last ferry we built was constructed and put into service in 2003,” he said. “A contract was signed in May and the first plates were cut in the middle of August.”
He says ferry rides are the only way people can get to and from Washington Island and many of those people need to be transported for work.
“I think there is some excitement in their minds because that should speed up the process of loading and getting to Washington Island.”
In the contest, the new ferry is unique because it is not the same kind of product like its competition.
“It is a single product, in other words, they are not manufacturing thousands of the same thing like the other products are doing.”
There is still time to vote, you can click here to learn more and cast your vote.
The new ferry will be available in May and will be on the water in June if all goes to plan.
“I think shipbuilding is a really important industry in Northeast Wisconsin.”
Check out other local products that made the Top 16 in the contest.
Oh Snap! Dilly Bites from GLK Foods in Bear Creek
