GETTING READY: SUMMER AND HIGH WATER

A concrete pour--the approach to the Island readjusted
north ramp was in progress early Thursday afternoon.
At left, Jon Mann floats thesurface; Rich Ellefson and
Brien Jordan trowel and smooth, at top.   Surface will require
a minimum several days to set before lighter
loads can be driven across.  (Purinton photos)

Detroit Harbor, Washington Island -

We're beginning Memorial Day Weekend, usually the first brush with tourism volume of any significance.  This year, we don't know what this year's holiday weekend might bring.

Today (Thursday, May 21) began an escalation to six round trips (still five less than the standard number of trips this time of year) and so far, the ferry capacity seems to have matched the lineup of traffic at Northport.  Nearly all passengers boarded with vehicles, still---although there were a few "walk-on" passengers.  We think this trend with few walk-on passengers will continue through the holiday weekend, given the continuation coronavirus concerns and fewer travelers in general.

Tonite the first evening trip of the season will begin, a "nite trip" leaving the Island at 7:00 pm, and leaving Northport at 7:45 pm.   As with most holiday weekends during warm weather months, there may be additional trips to accommodate traffic lined up at Northport, should that be the case.



At the Island's north ramp, Rich Ellefson, Brien Jordan, Jon Mann and Jed Ellefson floated and smoothed cement pour.  This will take several days to set up.  Even then, heavy loads will cross the ramp at the end of the pier, giving the new incline time to set and harden.  

This just about completes a major ramp project begun in early January.   Pipe pilings were driven to bedrock (about 30 feet) to establish a solid base for the ramp's foundation.   Steel sheeting was added, and trimmed, to protect the new foundation and shore up the sagging surfaces surrounding the ramp.    In the process, the entire ramp, which was never "square" with the Standard Oil pier, is now more in line.   Longer pipes, from which hang new tires along the south face of that pier, will help in landings, especially during strong southerly winds.

This slip location may be used more than in recent years, given the improvements made to the ramp, and the opportunity it gives the operator to avoid the stream of current and side-winds that can sweep down the channel and challenge docking maneuvers at the pier's outermost end.   It will also provide a secure mooring spot for the new and longer ferry Madonna, when it arrives in mid-June.

   -  Dick Purinton