Fickle ferries slow down passage

PELEE ISLAND — With the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically affecting last year’s tourist season, residents of Pelee Island were hoping for a better summer in 2021.

Of course, the pandemic is holding on for dear life amid vaccination efforts and a provincial lockdown, but it was hoped that once the lockdown was lifted later this summer, things would be back to normal for the islanders and their tourism industry.

But issues have arisen with the fleet of ferries operated by Owen Sound Transportation.

The MV Jiimaan sits in Kingsville harbour awaiting inspection and has been unable to sail on the regular schedule this season. The Jiimaan is approaching 30 years old and is being inspected to see if the ship is viable going forward.

The newly-minted MV Pelee Islander II is sailing out of Leamington on a rotating schedule with the original Pelee Islander, due to a shortage of engineers to run the big boat. The Pelee Islander was built in 1960 and still chugs its way reliably across Lake Erie, but is considerably smaller than the other two vessels and only holds a handful of vehicles.

This presents a problem for islanders needing food and supplies and — once the province opens back up — it will also affect their tourism sector.

The Pelee Islander and Pelee Islander II at the Leamington Dock on Monday, June 7, 2021.

Sun photo