No islanders stranded on mainland after Christian Island ferry breaks down

Beausoleil Island First Nation Chief Joanne Sandy says snowmobiles, side-by-side vehicles, air boat replaced the ferry on Monday.

Beausoleil First Nations’ Chief Joanne Sandy says she has no concerns about stranding people on the mainland with a broken ferry on her shore.

The Indian Maiden did break down on Monday, Sandy confirmed.

“It’s currently being repaired,” she said, adding she hopes it will be fixed for tomorrow’s riders.

An anonymous caller to CTV NEWS feared students who study on the mainland, and adult commuters wouldn’t be able to get home.

But the Beausoleil Chief said nobody was stranded, they had the situation well in-hand.

“They were picked up by ski-doos and side-by-sides and a “scoot” which is a small air boat that seats 12,” she said.

“There’s nobody stuck on either side.”

While Sandy says they’re using the old ferry, she does add they have a new multi-million-dollar boat in their shipyards, but it’s not water-ready presently.

Sandy said there are “issues” with the American boat they took possession of last summer.

It needs repairs and is also waiting on ‘safe manning regulations’ paperwork from the Transport Canada feds since last August.

“Bugs are being ironed out,” she said.

Interestingly, said they got the boat from Wisconsin, before tariffs were implemented.

“We’re just lucky we got it here,” she said of the tariff situation.

The north, south and east sides of the island are surrounded by water; only the west side still has ice, she said.