Just a Quick Notice to Let you Know the Frontenac II begins service at the Dawson Point Dock at 5:30 am Saturday, October 5th
Here is the announcement from MTO:

Thank you for your patience as we worked through finalizing the schedule to have the Wolfe Islander III leave for Hamilton for its 5 year mandatory Transport Canada inspection. Having the ferry leave in early October is necessary to ensure we avoid the high wind season and to have her back as quickly as possible.

Please note that starting at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 5 2019, the Frontenac II will leave Wolfe Island from Dawson Point. The Frontenac II will remain in service between Dawson Point and Kingston for up to five weeks while the Wolfe Islander III is at dry-dock.

If water levels remain high, we anticipate returning to Marysville when WI III is
back from dry-dock. We will confirm once we get closer to that date.

Thank you,

Brandy Duhaime
Regional Communications Coordinator
MTO, Eastern

There is no question that by far this has been one of the busiest summers the island has seen . With music resonating all over the island and lots of encouragement to leave cars behind, the number of people walking, or with bikes, carriages, walkers, wheel chairs and golf clubs to enjoy what Marysville has to offer on good days, even on bad days has been incredible.

Without a vehicle most everything is within walking distance including the WI Community Centre (baseball , hockey, horse events). All much to the delight of the WI businesses, restaurants, the gallery, museum, boat club, and special event coordinators.

Traffic outside the village to and from Horne’s ferry, Wolfe Island’s link to New York State from May 1st to Thanksgiving is up as well. The “Corn Maze” is a tremendously popular place, as is the Riverfront Golf Course and other places of interest .. Wolfe Islanders also welcome their own families and the island’s many cottagers and friends who return each year. Unfortunately Big Sandy Bay was closed this summer due to flooding and dune damage.

Islanders have much to think about . Whether it is summer or winter, spring or fall the Wolfe Islander III generally leaves vehicles behind from early morning to early evening. Service vehicles of every type and in ever increasing numbers come fill many of the rows on the ferry as they must. Then there is the move to the winter dock, welcomed by some but dreaded by others.

As it happens this year, the WI III is moving to the winter dock for a short period followed quickly by its departure for a Transport Canada required 5 year inspection. The Frontenac II from Amherst Island will replace the Wolfe Islander until its return (maybe November?). The MV Quinte Loyalist will begin service at Amherst Island the week of the 23rd of September. The Frontenac II from Amherst Island will replace the Wolfe Islander until its return (maybe November). I have heard a bus service will be provided for some part of the Wolfe Islander III’s absence. Actual dates for the above will be confirmed by MTO.

When it comes to waiting for the ferry, Wolfe Islanders know what to do. “Keep the line-up tight. Don’t leave cars parked in the line up overnight, or if not intending to take the ferry. And of course don’t leave vehicles unattended particularly as the ferry is coming in. “

The young people who kept us “in line” while waiting for the Wolfe Island ferry at Wolfe Island and also in Kingston over the summer have now left to return to their studies. With us for a second summer was Dan White who returns to Queen’s and Kayla Chartrand to Trent University. Completing this summer’s roster for a first summer with us were Lillian Law (U. of Ottawa), Aisling Beers (U. of Toronto), Clara Sorn Amann (Trent University) and Angus Merry (Queen’s).

Thanks for the miles you walked, biked and ran to keep ferry traffic moving. We are aware of the frustration sometimes expressed loudly by folks about the ferry service that you accepted with dignity. Thank you for jobs well done. We will miss you.

And now a Secondary Plan for Marysville has begun – should the village grow, how far, with what ? New businesses, increased services, housing, water, climate change options, all will be considered in formulating a vision for the town’s future.. At the present time most people on Wolfe Island live outside the present parameters of Marysville. Indeed there is a lot to think about.

Consultants had a first meeting to obtain input for the Secondary Plan from the public. At the next meeting they will tell us what we told them. What are your thoughts ? It is not to late to submit them to the township office. Then sometime during the winter the consultants will make recommendations.. Your thoughts are important.

And finally from Damen Ship Builders most recent report comes this :
“Under the watchful eye of the owner’s representative the official keel laying for the Wolfe Islander IV took place on Friday the 30th of August, 2019. The local surveyors of Classification Society Bureau Veritas have handed over the corresponding certificate. The construction of the sections for the Wolfe Islander IV is in full progress as there are at the moment already 15 sections, or more than 400 Tons of steel, in production.”