Marysville businesses expecting more visitors with Wolfe Islander IV back in service

The electric-powered ferry had been out of service for several months after it was damaged.

Businesses on Wolfe Island are hopeful that the Wolfe Islander IV will provide constant service between downtown Kingston and Marysville.

The electric-powered ferry returned to service on May 20 after it had been docked in Hamilton for several months for repairs. 

During that time, the Wolfe Islander III was put back into operation to transport passengers and vehicles to and from Wolfe Island.

But during the winter months, the ferry docked at Dawson's Point, about 5 kms north of Marysville.

That meant passengers had to be shuttled from Dawson's Point to Marysville, and vice-versa, something Tom Carpenter says was more than just an inconvenience.

Carpenter is the co-owner of Hotel Wolfe Island in Marysville.

The return of the ferry service to Marysville means people can come off the ferry and be able to walk around and enjoy the sights of the village.

Carpenter believes having the ferry dock in Marysville full-time will be a boost for businesses.

Carpenter says Marysville remains a hidden gem in the Kingston area.

He says the ferry to Wolfe Island is free, and the time it takes to take you there is no longer than the time it takes to walk around downtown Kingston.

Carpenter and other operators in Marysville are cautiously optimistic that the Islander IV will be able to stay in operation.

The ferry suffered damage to the bottom end last December and was taken out of service a few months after it had been put into service.

Carpenter adds the ferry is currently running every 80 minutes as opposed to an hourly service which makes it a longer wait for those taking the ferry.

He says the hotel along with several other businesses have made changes since the pandemic and feels this is a good a time as any for people to see Marysville once again.

Story by Ken Hashizume