b'dont rely solely on the Coast Guard to indicate issues.the opposite shore signal to the captain by opening a door TheCoastGuardinspectorthencomesandtellsthethat is mounted on the riverbank. The door is closed once team everything that officially needs to be done. Afterthe ferry arrives and guests are boarded, remaining closed that, Morrison said, they rip the boats apart and a localuntil the next rider comes to open it and request passage. carpenter comes in to do the work. Once the everythingIts what Morrison referred to as their high-tech way of is finished, the Coast Guard will return to confirm thesaying, come get me.boats are approved to sail. The community does more than help launch and dry dock At this point, the wood must be prepared for launch. Boththe ferries. The landing, for example, needed to be replaced powerboats and flats are flooded with water which will sitthis year. Funded by the local Rotary Club, the crew took for fourteen days allowing the wood to swell. Oakum ischarge to get the project going and gathered all the pieces put in seams as needed. If the wood isnt taken through thisneeded. Matt Tschopp, the son of one of the ferry captains, swelling process, the boats would sink when pushed intobuilt the landing in his front yard. Morrison noted that its the water. Once the boats are launched, the Coast Guardnot the first time hes done work like this for the ferry. She returns for an in-water inspection for the final approval tosaid that if he sees something that needs to be done, hell be underway for the season.just do it without even telling anyone. Thats kind of how this whole community is. They just get the job done. They Being launched each spring by locals is not the only uniqueknow what needs done and they know its for the good of operating aspect of the Millersburg Ferry. The ferries dontthe order, so to speak, Morrison said. We are very blessed run on a set timetable. Instead, the ferry will make thewith people who look out for these boats and have them be crossing when people arrive at the landing. Passengers onwell maintained and well loved.DeJong & Lebet, Inc.ExperienceNaval ArchitectsMarine EngineersWhen YouConsultantsSurveyorsNeed It.Ferry Experts71 Sea Island Explorer140 Odyssey Chicago Riverwww.dejongandlebet.comsales@easternshipbuilding.com1734 Emerson Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 850-763-1900(904) 399-3673Panama City AllantonPort St. Joeinfo@dejongandlebet.com25 JUNE 2025Ferries2025-FG3.375x4.875.indd 1 4/21/2025 6:26:48 AM'