MADONNA CONSTRUCTION - 20.0

After a delay of several days to get the transporter functioning
properly, the ferry minus pilot house moves out of #411.
(All blog photos by Rich Ellefrson)

Detroit Harbor, Washington Island -

At the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding facility the beat goes on regarding the construction of the new
Washington Island Ferry Madonna.

It's been primarily steel work that has continued within the 411 Building during the past week, the former construction bay for Palmer Johnson luxury yachts.  A comparison of photos with those taken a week ago reveals that most electrical cords, hoses, ladders and so forth have been coiled and removed, and a general clean-up made, in preparation for the paint shop.  Rich Ellefson visited the yard yesterday (Tuesday, 24th of March) and he took several photos showing the wrap-up of details prior to moving the ferry out of #411 to the nearby paint building, where it will remain for approximately three weeks.

Then this morning, prior to returning home, he photographed the transport of the ferry.



It's hard not to get excited about the construction a new ferry: all of the details, skills, engineering and components that go into making such a vessel an impressive whole.  Quite an accomplishment of corporate shipbuilding spirit.  This production is something to stand up and cheer about, and to look forward to its launch and finish with the greatest anticipation.  But, immediate pay-back will be questionable, given our current situation.

Given the present downturn in traffic, what we are now building is excess capacity. That contract decision had been given extreme forethought, consideration and judgement, but without having an inkling of what would happen in our world, our nation, in the winter of 2020.

Although there is concern for whether or not the shipyard will be able to maintain its production schedule, in light of the Coronavirus currently threatening manufacturing elsewhere, for the time being it remains a fair estimation that this project is still on track for a late May finish, the target date when the contract was signed.

Following are photos that show production in progress.

Main deck, looking aft.

Pedestal, looking to port.
Fire station hose rack is in
center of photo.

Let's hope the virus spread eases back, that people can begin to travel once again without concern for contracting illness, and that we can get back to doing what we do best: providing regular, dependable ferry transportation across the Deaths Door passage to and from Washington Island.  There is no question that this newest ferry will be an excellent product, designed to enable customers to easily drive-on or drive-off, in any season of the year should it be called upon to do so.

Window openings make the former "duck blind"
look more like a pilot house.

Although I had previously entertained the likelihood of having a public christening in early June, after which the ferry might be placed in rotation, that idea now seems far-fetched and inappropriate.   For one, it might still be wrong to invite public assembly.  For another, given the present downturn in required ferry transportation, providing the Island with essential transportation only, this vessel could remain moored, dockside through the first months of its existence.

That would be a shame, but it could easily be the case, and for some time into the future.
   - Dick Purinton