New Wolfe Island, Amherst Island ferries remain docked for over a year – Kingston | 24CA News

For over a 12 months, the brand new ferries for Amherst Island and Wolfe Island have been able to go, however they nonetheless stay docked and unused on the Picton terminal.

“As I understand it, they’re missing a certain class of engineer, and a certain number of people to run the ferry,” mentioned Kingston and the Islands MPP Ted Hsu.

Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation advised Global News in a press release:

“The current seafarer shortage is industry-wide, which has resulted in staffing challenges for ferry services in general.”

Amherst Island is positioned in Loyalist Township and Deputy Mayor Nathan Townend doesn’t purchase into the declare there isn’t sufficient workers for the ferry.

“At this point, staffing really isn’t the issue. The issue is the ferry is languishing in Picton and we’re not sure why,” mentioned Townend.

The township says delays with the ferry’s supply aren’t being communicated from the Ministry of Transportation.

“So because we are not the owner, we didn’t procure the boat, and the boat is not in our possession, it’s difficult for us to be able to answer to the public as to what the delays are,” mentioned Townend.

Whether it’s a staffing scarcity or one thing else, frustration for Island residents and politicians alike is constructing.

“The ferries have been sitting in Picton for a long, long time now,” mentioned Hsu.

There’s no clear indication of how for much longer they’ll be there, both.

The affected municipalities are hoping to schedule conferences with the MTO quickly to try to get the method shifting and the brand new ferries in service.

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