While it may look spring in your backyard, it still feels like winter for the Washington Island Ferry Line. Due to the continued heavy ice presence on the Bay, the Washington Island Ferry Line announced this week it would be running an altered five-round-trip schedule from March 15th through April 3rd. In addition to its two vessels that can break ice, the United States Coast Guard announced that it was resuming its ice-cutting missions this week to open up shipping lanes in the Great Lakes. Washington Island Ferry Line President Hoyt Purinton says this is the second time in the last seven years they have had to take these kinds of precautions heading into the spring season, though he admits it should be a more regular occurrence. He says the decision to make the change is being made to manage the expectations of those who may rely on the ferry to get to and from Washington Island in preparation for the summer months.
