Ferry Expected To Open After 14-Month Layoff
The Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry may be operating again by this weekend.
By MARK EVANS
mevans@stegenherald.com
After 14 months in drydock, the Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry should be back in operation sometime this month.
Ronnie Inman, a former co-owner of the ferry, who now helps manage it under the ownership of the New Bourbon Regional Port Authority, said the final U.S. Coast Guard inspections were to be done this Monday.
“We have to do the man overboard and fire drills and all kind of stuff like that,” Inman said. “They check all of our paperwork and books. They actually throw a 150-pound dummy out in the river you have so long to get it back in, less than two minutes. We’ve always been able to accomplish that.”
Then, this Wednesday, the insurance company will check the recent repair work.
“He’ll be going in, checking all the compartments and all the work that’s been done,” Inman said.
The insurance premium will be based on the evaluation.
The ferry had been with the same insurance company since 1991. They, however, have stopped issuing marine insurance That has forced the ferry to go to a firm called Intel.
Inman hopes the turnaround will be quick, allowing the ferry to get back into operation this weekend.
“He’s promised he’ll go right back to Wisconsin and write his report up on Thursday,” he said. “I don’t know if they’re going to turn us loose right away or not. I’m pushing them. Maybe we can run the next weekend. That’s just a ‘guestimate.'”
