There is no bridge to Wolfe Island, instead there is a ferry which runs back and forth and for some arcane reason is free. In the summer there can be quite a line up with vehicles, but there is always room to just walk on. On a nice day its fun just to go back and forth without even getting off.
This is the third Wolfe Islander, constructed by the Port Aurthur shipyard in Thunder Bay. Number four is under construction in Romania and will have electric propulsion. The shipbuilders, Damen, were good enough to give me a little more information about its operation.
"Please be advised that the propulsion system is in fact a hybrid diesel electric system. However there is enough battery power onboard to perform the ferry crossing on electrical power. These batteries will be charged with a fast shore charging system, resulting in the majority of all sailings being full electric."
The plan is to operate both No. 3 and 4 durring busy periods, which will more than double the capacity and offer 1/2 hour service from both sides. But I imagine I'll time my trips to use the new ferry just because of the clean and renewable power.
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