Town council gets update on Bois Blanc Island ferry emergency situation

By Ron Giofu

Amherstburg town council was updated on the ferry situation, particularly in the event of an emergency, as it relates to Bois Blanc Island.

Cindy Prince, vice president of development with Amico, appeared before town council Monday night to give the company’s side after council members had requested the company address the issue before them. Council voiced concerns over emergency response during a January meeting, noting there were issues pertaining to ferry access around Christmas.

Prince said Amico is proud of doing business in Amherstburg, with local projects including their Front Road South lands, the hotel property on Dalhousie St. and the Golfview subdivision to island-related properties including the ferry dock. She said the ferry is totally the responsibility of Amico and that purchasers know the use of the services is subject to Bois Blanc Island ferry terms.

Amico also doesn’t guarantee ferry service, Prince noted, as residents know “ferry service may be disrupted due to, but not limited to, weather conditions, mechanical breakdowns, work stoppages, river conditions, etc.”

Its Amherstburg Ferry Company arm “shall not be responsible for alternate transportation arrangements” or any losses or damages by a lack or delay in ferry services, she noted.

“We are fully acknowledging to purchasers there may be days the service doesn’t run,” said Prince.

The storm around Christmas meant the ferry was only available for medical services Dec. 23 and early Dec. 24, and emergency runs for all who needed it later in the day Dec. 24. There was no regular schedule Dec. 25 but requests were accommodated, until full service was restored later that day.

Prince told council one request was a couple wanting to spend Christmas with their daughter on the island, with the couple being driven to their daughter’s home. She said there were thankfully no medical emergencies.

Water dropped approximately five inches due to the storm, she added, and noted ferry captains make the decisions on whether the ferry can operate safely.

“The reasons are many why we didn’t run the ferry but it is all focused on safety,” said Prince.

The storm caused an accident which closed Highway 401, grounded planes and caused delays in VIA Rail service, Prince added. She also noted ice buildup caused damage to pilings at the former dock, which caused a portion of it to buckle.

“There are times when weather and Mother Nature win and transportation can’t happen,” she said.

Ice buildup at the Bois Blanc ferry dock was another issue, she added, but they are spending millions to create a new dock that will help to alleviate that issue.

“Our focus is on safety,” said Prince. “The ferry only runs when our ferry captains are convinced it can be done safely.”

Amico works closely with the Amherstburg Fire Department and Chief Bruce Montone, she added, and have done such things as acquire a fan boat to help in such situations. There has also been a tugboat engaged for ice clearing, when needed, and a temporary garage provided for a fire truck on the island.

Councillor Diane Pouget questioned a plan that was signed off on by town administration and Montone several years ago, but Montone indicated the entire emergency plan is approved by council but there are annexes (subsections) that can’t be publicly brought forward due to confidential information that is not in the public’s best interest.

Montone indicated the town’s establishing and regulating bylaw spell out that access is not always available, adding there are challenges with delivering fire service to all areas of Amherstburg sometimes due to limited resources.

“We do our very best. Our firefighters are remarkable, but there are limits,” he said.

Councillor Linden Crain praised Amico’s efforts on providing a tugboat, a garage for the fire truck on Bois Blanc and and air boat, but Councillor Peter Courtney wanted to see more permanent solutions rather than measures he considered “band-aid fixes.” He wanted to know if by personnel and equipment on the island meant fire trucks as well, and also believed every possible measure should be mitigated to ensure emergency vehicles can access the island.

Prince stated the development agreement with the town has being followed “to the letter” and that Amico has incorporated many of Montone’s suggestions. Montone added they still hope to build a permanent hall on Bois Blanc Island and also possibly recruit island residents to help staff it. Acknowledging it wasn’t a perfect solution, Montone said the ideal solution is a self-sufficient fire service on the island but that was not affordable.

A third-party company agreed with steps that were being taken and that “one (truck) is better than none but more is better.” The company added the insurance situation for island and mainland residents has improved.

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