UPDATE: The Sugar Island Ferry made a 6 a.m. run on Wednesday, March 4, but remains shut down.
According to a Facebook update: “The (United States Coast Guard Cutter) Biscayne Bay is going to get to work in the next hour and we are going to sit until we feel we can try and make a run after they put some time in breaking ice.”
Officials thanked residents for their patience and understanding as ice conditions continue to make ferry travel difficult.
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Ice conditions in the St. Marys River have caused several days of schedule changes and delays for the Sugar Island Ferry, and operations were completely halted on Tuesday, March 3.
In an update posted to Facebook, Capt. Greg Gorsuch said “We have made the decision to shut down until further notice. This was a hard decision to make, but if we keep running through this, it’s not a matter of if something will break, but when.”
A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter is expected to be working in the area on Tuesday to clear the ice.
“After the cutter starts working the ice this morning, it may create opportunities to attempt a run or (two),” Gorsuch wrote. “We will try keeping you all informed the best we can as for when we may make runs.”
Further updates will be available at facebook.com/sugarislandferry.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sugar Island Ferry shutdown continues due to ice conditions
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, Sault Ste. Marie News / The Sault News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
