August 29, 200717 yr I have vague info after a conversation not to long ago with Flats Industries. If I recall, the jist of it is, the problem is not on the US side- it is funded and supported. I heard there are some customs issues on the Canada side. I also heard that the community-port stanley- has to vote on it and support it. The ride I believe is at 6 hours and there were concerns raised as to whether people would want to do this. sign me up, I think it sounds great.
August 29, 200717 yr I have vague info after a conversation not to long ago with Flats Industries. If I recall, the jist of it is, the problem is not on the US side- it is funded and supported. I heard there are some customs issues on the Canada side. I also heard that the community-port stanley- has to vote on it and support it. The ride I believe is at 6 hours and there were concerns raised as to whether people would want to do this. sign me up, I think it sounds great. 1) Yes, port stanley is not a big fan of the issue. However truckers are. 2) I believe the original goal was a "high-speed" ferry. It would take the average person going average speeds little over 5 hours to drive to port stanley. Aside from the fuel costs associated with operating a vehicle for five hours, the idea was to get the trip shorter than what one could do it driving. Also, in some of the larger ferries I've been on can cross lake erie in about 4.
August 29, 200717 yr Crossing the border seems to take longer these days, and with the new passport requirement I think that would deter gamblers (small times ones really do not travel internationally) who will just go somewhere closer/easier. I would make the trip for the Century 21, and to experience sweet democracy (please take a joke people). I wonder if they have a boat designated to do this? This could clear up the time issue. I did once see an old, orange Staten island ferry boat downtown on the lake a couple years ago...at the time I thought they were trying out one of those, however I wonder if they could withstand long haul boating. I would love to see some tours/trips on the freighters. This is not uncommen in Europe.
August 29, 200717 yr I thought part of the idea of a ferry was that they would do customs on the ship, thus resulting in a time savings. I don't think gambling was ever seriously the attraction. It had more to do with overland shipping- trucks. I also wonder if it could open up some wonderful outdoor sports activities up on the less developed side of Lake Erie and the Canadian Shield.
August 31, 200717 yr There's a ferry that leaves from Sandusky and goes to Pelee Island and Leamington Ontario http://www.ontarioferries.com/jii/english/index.html Pelee Island has a nice winery if you should ever make it there.
August 31, 200717 yr There's a ferry that leaves from Sandusky and goes to Pelee Island and Leamington Ontario http://www.ontarioferries.com/jii/english/index.html Pelee Island has a nice winery if you should ever make it there. Nothing like the tomato capital of canada for a desintation. but seriously, its an obnoxiously slow ferry. However the MV Jimaan does sell beer, but if you get stuck on the MV Pelee Islander you're out of luck. Total trip would be approximately 6 hours when you count up boarding, de boarding, customs, etc. There is a little cigarette boat that used to make the run between Leamington/Kingville to Sandusky (to go to cedar point), but I haven't seen that one in a while.
September 3, 200717 yr This project does not seem to have much support at city hall, or anywhere else for that matter,or am I miscalculating this projects supporters. It doesnt seem to me it will come to fruition.
September 4, 200717 yr Exactly. Untill the actual populace of a given city or area gets behind a project it just seems like pork. I guess I worded my comment incorrectly, it was more to say the general notion amongst clevelanders is one of helplessness. There is a severe lack of civic vision and momentum. There are a hodgepodge of ideas that seems every nostalgic, depressed, city circulates. Green energy, biotech, bio-med, med products and other trendy terms. I do not see this money coming from the national government as doing much to change any of that.
September 4, 200717 yr Well, as has been noted earlier, the delays are primarily on the Canadian side. I'm not sure how you are making this into a problem with Cleveland. Anyway, since you raise the issue of a civic vision, and the obvious inadequacy of ours, what is your vision?
September 13, 200717 yr News regarding the competition. pd: Lake Erie ferry proposal gets a financial boost Thursday, September 13, 2007 Maggi Martin Plain Dealer Reporter Plans for a passenger and cargo ferry crossing Lake Erie between Ontario, Canada, and Lake County got a boost Wednesday from Canadian officials who agreed to put $315,000 toward a study. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 440-602-4782
September 13, 200717 yr Seriously, I have a real personal interest in this ferry (frequent visitor to London) I keep my radio tuned to FM-96 in London. Sometimes I feel like I live there since I have memorized the mattress commercials and Pizza-Pizza. I can sing "Westervelt College".
September 13, 200717 yr damnit, you made me hungry with your pizza pizza reference. Now if only I could get ring-a-wing to deliver here.
September 15, 200717 yr Port Burrel? Lake County? this is all wrong. I try in minimize general panty-wadding for sanity purposes, and lord knows there is plenty to get me going, but I want DOWNTOWN Cleveland to Port stanley. how do we make this happen? why would we dump Canadian tourists off in the middle of nowhere? Freight can benefit from Cle location as much as lake cty. I will try and follow up. I am telling you we could be missing out on a great thing by letting this slip away.
December 14, 200717 yr Cleveland port officials say Canada ferry project lacks momentum Port officials cite foreign bureaucracy Friday, December 14, 2007 Tom Breckenridge Plain Dealer Reporter Despite years of pursuit and nearly $1 million spent, the Cleveland port's plan for a Cleveland-to-Canada ferry remains beached in bureaucracy. "It's an old project with not a lot of momentum," maritime-services head Stephen Pfeiffer said Tuesday at a meeting of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority board. The problem, port officials say, is port-related machinations on the Canadian side. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4695 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1197625368112340.xml&coll=2
January 4, 200817 yr Interesting news from Canada: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ferry proposals gathering steam http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2008/01/03/pf-4750413.html Three plans are being floated for links across Lake Erie to Ohio or Pennsylvania. By CHIP MARTIN, SUN MEDIA Talk of a ferry crossing for Lake Erie is heating up. And the talk is about three proposals to link Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ontario ports. The three proponents will present their cases to port authority officials at a meeting east of Cleveland next week as the officials consider which is worth pursuing from the American side of the lake.
January 4, 200817 yr "The only way to keep this ferry in the black is by what she can carry in the hold," he said, noting the bid from nearby Cleveland would accommodate fewer trucks. And Cleveland is beginning a 20-year plan to relocate its harbour, which would delay ferry plans. I don't mind if Grand River has a better plan, but if this guy has to lie about Cleveland's plan to make his sound viable, then that's horseshit! I hope Cleveland officials put this liar in his place. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 30, 200817 yr The article above says, "The three proponents will present their cases to port authority officials at a meeting east of Cleveland next week as the officials consider which is worth pursuing from the American side of the lake." A few weeks have passed. Does anyone know the outcome? And even if the port is moved to E. 55th Street 20 years from now, the Cleveland side terminal could still be built at the end of W. 3 St. (Dock 28) for the interim, no?
January 30, 200817 yr Welcome, Pugu. I haven't heard an update on the port situation. But the permanent ferry terminal would be built at the foot of West Third Street and be part of the redevelopment of the port properties/facilities. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 31, 200817 yr Thanks. Apparently there was a follow up story, published one week after the article above--assumedly (is that a word?) about the meeting. However, they want $10 to see the article! So I didn't go for it....but here's the link for anyone willing to pay... http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2008/01/10/4765098-sun.html
January 31, 200817 yr Officials from 10 port authorities meet to review two proposals for an Ohio-Ontario link. Lake Erie ferry still in works Chip Martin Sun Media January 10, 2008 A Lake Erie ferry linking Ohio and Ontario is among the issues port authorities on the American side of the lake have resolved to work on together. A gathering of officials from 10 Ohio port authorities and lakeside municipal officials this week looked at two ferry proposals and issues such as dredging and government assistance and plan to do so again next month.
January 31, 200817 yr Wow--Great--thanks for posting the story! Looks like the issue on the local Canadian agency trying to hand over their port to the Federal gov't of Canada is still the issue. And, if the article above is correct, if Erie is dropping out, that's good for Cleveland. On the issue of Cleveland vs. Grand River--that's easy! Cleveland is a much bigger market with a far better highway distribution system--so it only makes 1,000x more sense. I just hope the Port Stanley folks resolve their local/federal issues... Thanks again for getting and posting the article.
January 31, 200817 yr In other words, he rightfully stole it. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 28, 200817 yr Yes, there was talk of it today at 05:54:22 PM :-D "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 29, 200817 yr I have used the Sandusky - Leamington ferry twice (not sure it is still operating). Both days were gorgeous and it was a wonderful ride. I would definitely use a Cleveland - Port Stanley, although I am not sure why Cleveland has to be tied specifically to Port Stanley. It is a picturesque town with a cute beach not far from St Thomas and London. PS don't forget a covered walkway from the ferry terminal to a Waterfront Line Station.
May 29, 200817 yr PS don't forget a covered walkway from the ferry terminal to a Waterfront Line Station. How about a historic trolley that goes right into the ferry terminal and takes you to Tower City Center? It's been discussed... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 29, 200817 yr Yes, there was talk of it today at 05:54:22 PM :-D Yeah, my question was in a different thread which had no activity since January 2005, so it didn't make quite as much sense when moved over here. :) I just measured the distance the ferry would travel (sorry if it has been mentioned previously, I didn't see it, but that may be because I'm falling asleep at the keyboard) on Google Maps and it was 82 miles. I didn't realize it was so far. They definitely didn't pick a straight-across-the-lake route. But it does seem to make sense, landing very near London.
May 29, 200817 yr I have used the Sandusky - Leamington ferry twice (not sure it is still operating). Both days were gorgeous and it was a wonderful ride. I would definitely use a Cleveland - Port Stanley, although I am not sure why Cleveland has to be tied specifically to Port Stanley. It is a picturesque town with a cute beach not far from St Thomas and London. PS don't forget a covered walkway from the ferry terminal to a Waterfront Line Station. There is a frequent (1-2x daily) ferry that runs all Summer: Sandusky > Pelee Island > Leamington/Kingsville Pope still vacations on Pelee, so he still uses the ferry.
May 29, 200817 yr I have used the Sandusky - Leamington ferry twice (not sure it is still operating). Both days were gorgeous and it was a wonderful ride. I would definitely use a Cleveland - Port Stanley, although I am not sure why Cleveland has to be tied specifically to Port Stanley. It is a picturesque town with a cute beach not far from St Thomas and London. PS don't forget a covered walkway from the ferry terminal to a Waterfront Line Station. There is a frequent (1-2x daily) ferry that runs all Summer: Sandusky > Pelee Island > Leamington/Kingsville Pope still vacations on Pelee, so he still uses the ferry. I love it when you talk in third person. lol
June 1, 200817 yr [...] Pope still vacations on Pelee, so he still uses the ferry. I love it when you talk in third person. lol At least the pope doesn't use the Royal "We" that used to be the custom of kings and queens. :-)
August 5, 200816 yr Whatever happened to plans to float a ferry across Lake Erie to Canada? Monday, August 04, 2008 No launch date has been set, but the plans are still very much alive. Grand River Mayor Chris Conley said the Lake County village is working with Mentor to find a way to pay for a study with the Canadians to determine the costs and benefits of a joint ferry project.
August 11, 200816 yr Tying the issue to the unpopular E-check; that is pretty convoluted. I have been wondering if increased fuel prices will reduce trucking and motoring and remove the need for E-check. Lake County actually had one of its rare days with the air quality index in the "good" category today, which means that the index was below 50. I gotta start a thread on Ohio air quality. We deserve better than we get.
August 11, 200816 yr ^ thank you -- i was scratching my head over the e-check reference too. glad to hear news that the ferry plan is still on. as an observation while visiting ohio recently i was astounded to find almost no traffic on the highways. it was stunning. otoh the traffic in-town everywhere seemed about the same. i don't drive so i dk if this is the case everywhere these days, i would assume so.
August 11, 200816 yr I have been wondering if increased fuel prices will reduce trucking and motoring and remove the need for E-check. E-check was the wrong solution from the beginning. It's a classic case of treating the symptom but not the disease. How can anyone in their right mind expect car-induced smog to be reduced in any meaningful when planning agencies, ODOT, and government at all levels are falling all over themselves to promote auto-centric sprawl? I would vastly prefer to see the ferry project go to downtown Cleveland where there is the possibility of more intermodal connections.
September 2, 200915 yr Yet another ferry idea across the lake to canada--this time between Fairport Harbor & Port Dover, Ontario: "Leaving the village of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, (30 miles east of Cleveland) the proposed ferry would operate on a year-round schedule (using ice class vessels in the winter) carrying 2,400 trucks, 1,600 cars and 9,000 daily." On the US side, any ferry should clearly be in Cleveland to maximize cargo/passengers and minimize truck miles, and not way out east. Whatever happened to the Cle-Port Stanley plan? Even if the port moves, this service could move as well. Last I heard, the hold up was on the Canadian side as a result of some inter-Canadian-government squabble. on our side of the pond, NOACA had already commissioned a study for a ferry terminal around W3 St. http://www.inportdover.com/ssm/m/content/article.php?content_id=396
September 2, 200915 yr Yet another ferry idea across the lake to canada--this time between Fairport Harbor & Port Dover, Ontario: "Leaving the village of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, (30 miles east of Cleveland) the proposed ferry would operate on a year-round schedule (using ice class vessels in the winter) carrying 2,400 trucks, 1,600 cars and 9,000 daily." On the US side, any ferry should clearly be in Cleveland to maximize cargo/passengers and minimize truck miles, and not way out east. Whatever happened to the Cle-Port Stanley plan? Even if the port moves, this service could move as well. Last I heard, the hold up was on the Canadian side as a result of some inter-Canadian-government squabble. on our side of the pond, NOACA had already commissioned a study for a ferry terminal around W3 St. http://www.inportdover.com/ssm/m/content/article.php?content_id=396 If you read up...it's not Cleveland holding this up..It's the Canadians.
September 2, 200915 yr that's what i said--"some inter-Canadian-government squabble". lord...my eyes.
September 2, 200915 yr Yeah, after all that driving across the lake, your eyes will play tricks on you....that's why we need this ferry!
September 3, 200915 yr Final funding in for ferry study By Betsy Scott [email protected] All the funding now is in place to go to bid for a Lake Erie Ferry Border Crossing feasibility study.
September 3, 200915 yr About $45 million of infrastructure improvements would be absorbed by the United States and Ohio.... Is it too late to add a ferry terminal for downtown Cleveland (not lake county) to the stimulus funding application?
September 4, 200915 yr There's apparently a lot of interest in a ferry service making an Ohio-Ontario route. Cleveland shouldn't be waiting around for Port Stanley. It's obvious they can't keep up their end of the bargain.
September 9, 200915 yr Ontario is funding half of the grant money for a $300,000 feasibility study. The ferry would travel from Port Burwell, Ontario, to Grand River in Lake County. It would be a $550 million investment for six ferries and port improvements. Mentor, Ohio is spending $5000 to hire McDonald Hopkins for legal and lobby (PR) work. The study will take 9 to 12 months. This news was in the News-Herald free "Chatter" newspaper on August 31, 2009 Betsy Scott: [email protected]
January 12, 201015 yr http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/01/12/news/nh1933414.txt Ferry study released By Betsy Scott [email protected] The results are in on an international ferry service feasibility study and they are getting mixed reviews. Bayham, Ontario, officials released the report to the public this week on the municipal Web site, and Bayham Council is expected to discuss it at a meeting Thursday. The council may decide whether to proceed with the impact portion of the study. Complete Study is at http://www.bayham.on.ca/files/{7464515A-5195-4105-BFE9-37FDB53D3733}2010%2001%2008%20Bayham%20Phase%20I%20Final%20Report.pdf Based on this preliminary assessment, the most promising type of service to offer, on the basis of cost savings, would be a RoRo running year-round between Port Burwell and Fairport Harbor or Cleveland. While such a service is feasible, it must be viewed as speculative. Put another way, the proposed ferry service is neither a clear winner nor a clear loser and the risks are high.
January 15, 201015 yr http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/01/15/news/nh1948876.txt Ferry study docked by Bayham By Jacob Lammers [email protected] In a decision that could have a far-reaching impact, the second half of a study concerning an international ferry between Canada and Fairport Harbor will not proceed.
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