New ferry service from North Hatley to Ayer’s Cliff
Anyone interested in taking a ride across Lake Massawippi can hop on a new ferry service starting this summer in June, travelling between Ayer’s Cliff and North Hatley.
According to Ayer’s Cliff Town Manager Kimball Smith, the ferry is a pilot project organized by the régie du Parc régional Massawippi with funds for the boat rental coming from the MRC.
Ferries across the lake, for the most part, were a thing of the past on the Massawippi, Smith said. In recent years there was another attempt by a private business to attempt a similar venture.
Smith explained that this summer’s ferry service is mainly targeting cyclists travelling on the regional bike path who would like to get from North Hatley to Ayer’s Cliff (or vice versa) without travelling on main roads.
Pedestrians who would like to have a leisurely trip across the lake and visit the neighbouring town are also welcome, he said.
The boat being used is a pontoon with a 12-person capacity.
Since this is its first year, the MRC has provided the funding for the rental of the pontoon. If the project is a success, the municipalities can look into the possibility of purchasing a boat in the future.
The ride across the lake will take approximately an hour-and-a-half, according to Smith. It will be docked in Ayer’s Cliff, so departures will begin and end their each day.
The cost will be $10 per person. Organizers hope to launch the service by June 23.Travelers can board the ferry in Ayer’s
Cliff at the warf area roughly a fiveminute walk from the edge of town.
There is currently no sidewalk, so Smith suggested cyclists walk their bikes along the shoulder of the road.
On the North Hatley end, the ferry will load and unload at the federal dock near the public beach.
“It’s coming together,” Smith said, explaining that stakeholders are looking at making a smartphone app available so that people can book a particular sailing across the lake.
Smith said the service will likely run five days per week, and will probably be closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It will leave Ayer’s Cliff around 10 a.m. and end service in the evening, at a time to be determined.
Because of the size of the boat and the nature of the cargo, it’s not just anyone who can drive the boat, Smith said. Two employees have undergone special training to captain the ferry.
“It will be interesting to see how it goes,” Smith said. Depending on the success of the project this year, the régie will look at how to proceed in the future.