It has been clear sailing for the Washington Island Ferry’s newest vessel. Christened in late June, the Madonna is the line’s biggest ferry with a capacity of 28 vehicles and 150 passengers. After a month of operation, Washington Island Ferry Line President Hoyt Purinton says the Madonna has been “checking all the boxes” it wanted out of the ship in terms of handling the water conditions Death’s Door can offer and the service it can provide to its passengers. He says it has been especially noticed when it comes to traffic waiting to get on board.

The Madonna will also prove its worth in the wintertime as a second icebreaking vessel for the Washington Island Ferry Line. The ferry line is currently operating 22 roundtrips a day plus additional trips on weekend nights.