Wolfe Island Ferry service affected by heavy winds

The Wolfe Islander III ferry docks on the Wolfe Island side of the river. October 18, 2022. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)

Service on the Wolfe Island Ferry is running again Saturday after a temporary pause due to heavy winds and an unspecified mechanical issue.

Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation warned Saturday morning that service between Kingston and Wolfe Island would be halted because of increasing winds and a mechanical problem. Trips from 9 a.m. on were cancelled.

According to Environment Canada, wind gusts of up to 33 km/h were recorded at the Kingston airport around 9 a.m. Gusty conditions continued through the morning in Kingston, with sustained winds between 20 and 25 km/h.

Just before 10 a.m., however, the ferry was able to move again as the wind speed decreased. The next trip left at 10:15 a.m. and the MTO says service will continue “off schedule.”

The ferry is the only connection between Wolfe Island and the mainland, and service issues have become more frequent. Friday night, the ferry warned of a lack of crew, which could have halted overnight trips, but a crew member was found in time to keep the service running.

There was a brief service pause in October because of staffing issues.