Ferry & Ice Conditions Update

As soon as we posted that the airboat would run I dashed to get across...had to pick up prescriptions.

The ice was moving pretty good in the middle of the North Channel as we went across, but no problems with Bobby's excellent captain skills.

Thanks to the kind gentleman who drove me to the drug store...sorry I'm terrible with names.

I was back to the DNR in a flash, but had to wait there for nearly 2 hours.  The line was long...I immediately calculated I would be on the 6th airboat trip back to the Island.

Not too bad except in my haste to get off the Island, I was only wearing canvas slip on shoes and a light jacket...no gloves, no hat...not too bright for an Island Girl!

My daughter, Shannon, was on the Island side at the Boy's Club waiting for me and giving me updates...the airboats were not going over any more...they were sitting at the island.  I called Daryl and got the scoop...the ice was now moving too fast for safe airboat transport and we would have to wait for it to slow down.

The temperature kept dropping as the now approximately 20 people jumped from foot to foot trying to keep warm.

After what seemed an eternity the airboat started running again...then along comes the US Coast Guard cutter heading down the North Channel...we all groaned thinking they would get the ice moving again and delay our frozen bodies return to a warm place once again, but their presence seemed to make no difference in ice movement...thank God!

After waiting 4 trips, (it would have been one, but Middle Channel Mike could not be bribed with the offer of a free T Shirt!) it was my turn to go.  I jumped (not literally) onto the airboat just after the sun had set and the temperatures had plummeted...I could no longer feel my feet...but that was great for my foot injury.  The return trip to the Island was freezing but uneventful.  We could see the USCG still working the ice downriver from the ferry...hope they are successful tonight!

Once I got home and started to thaw I began to notice the severe pain in my recently injured, frozen foot....guess two hours on my feet was too much, but it was the only way to stay warm.  Then my nurse mind started taking over...need to elevate that foot and put some ice on it...oh great!

Ferry Remains Closed

The conditions have not changed so the ferry to Harsen's Island remains closed at this time.

The airboat is running now and will continue until 7pm.

The situation will be assessed as conditions change...remember Champion's wants to run...they don't make any money with the ferries sitting in the docks.

Lot's of rumors and predictions being spouted out there, but unless someone has a crystal ball.....

Please let us know by Email or comment if you have more information...we'll keep our ears open too and will post as events happen...thanks for your help!

Ferry Closed Today

Due to ice in the North Channel, Champion' Auto Ferry to Harsens Island is closed today.

Bob Bryson will be running the airboat from 4pm to 7pm later toady.

The Coast Guard is working the ice and conditions could change....we'll keep you posted.

Harsen's Island in the News

Coast Guard, ferry service clash after five ferry shutdowns
The Voice News
By Jeri Packer, Voice Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, March 4, 2010

Friction between the U.S. Coast Guard and Clay Township was more abrasive than ever this year, as the Harsen's Island ferry experienced one interruption in service after another as ice cutters busted through the North Channel.

The first ice jam of the season occurred early, on Jan. 8, said Champions Auto Ferry owner Bob Bryson.

"There's been ice in river ever since," he said. "We've been shut down five different times by the coast guard, sometimes for one day, other times two to three days."

According to the Coast Guard, unless Mother Nature throws another curve ball, it looks like water levels are settling along the nine-mile stretch of the St. Clair River Coast Guard cutters must keep clear. Water levels north of Clay Township were rising, causing some flooding and to the south, levels were dropping by at least two feet. The Coast Guard cutters also assisted many freighters across the waterway after getting stalled in frozen waters.

The REAL Harsen's Island Ferry Report

I know many newspapers are reporting conflicting information about the ferry schedule, airboat schedule etc.

But....they are not here on the Island and are not talking to the persons who make these decisions....we are!

David WAS told by the Coast Guard that they would not be by the ferry until 9pm or so tonight HOWEVER things changed during the night...ice moved creating an ice dam that the Coast Guard decided they had to break this morning...it was out of the control of the ferry owner, David Bryson. The Coast Guard made that decision to change the time back to 10am at the last minute.

Per David Bryson the ferry will not run again today, they made a trip to get the school children back to the island, and the bus is now waiting at the ferry to get back across. As soon as there is a opening, that will occur.

There will be NO ferry service tonight and PROBABLY NOT tomorrow morning, but they (at the ferry) will have to re-check that when they see the ice conditions in the morning. NOTHING IS SET IN STONE RIGHT NOW.

BOB WILL RUN THE AIRBOAT UNTIL 6PM TONIGHT ONLY....THE ICE IS TOO THICK TO NAVIGATE AT NIGHT...per Daryl Dupage.

The Harsen's Island/Clay township airboat is available for emergency transportation by calling either 911 for major emergency or calling the Clay Township Police at 810-794-9381 for minor emergencies.

Harsen's Island Ferry Shut Down Due to Coast Guard Games

According to David Bryson, of Champion's Auto Ferry, the ferry to Harsen's Island wil remain closed on Monday due to the US Coast Guard ice operations on the North Channel.  He stated the USCG will be leaving on Tuesday.

The airboat run by David's brother, Bob Bryson, will be operating on Monday morning from 6am to 8am, and again Monday evening from 5pm to 7pm.

The Harsen's Island/Clay Twp airboat will be available for emergency transport.

NOTE: moved this to the top of the page, Melon

Tags: Harsens Island, Harsen's Island Michigan,

Emergency Services for Harsens Island

Fire Chief Daryl Dupage said the Harsens Island/Clay Twp Fire Department will also be available this weekend for emergency transport.
Tags: Harsens Island, Harsen's Island Michigan,

Harsens Island Ferry Remains Closed Today

As we posted yesterday, the ferry is closed today.

The USCG Cutter went down the North Channel this morning. 

Champions Auto Ferry is now socked in with ice.  The water levels at the ferry are still low....doesn't appear the USCG did anything to alleviate the water level problems, but now the ferry can't run. 

Bob Bryson will be running his airboat today starting at 4pm.

I'm told by a Champion's employee that the ice around the ferry area is extremely thick.

We'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Tags: Harsens Island, Harsen's Island Michigan,

Expected Harsens Island Ferry Closing Update

I spoke to Nancy Bryson at Champions Auto Ferry.  This is a summary of that conversation:

• The Coast Guard will be coming down the North Channel around 10am tomorrow.
• At that time the ferry will be shut down for a minimum of 24 hours
• The Muskrat Dinner is ON
• The school buses will be running in the morning only
• The airboat will commence operations at 4pm tomorrow
• This will all happen unless somehow the Coast Guard can be convinced to change their plans

  

Tags: Harsens Island, Harsen's Island Michigan,