Ferry gets reprieve from Transport Canada

A ferry service near Kingston, Ont., has been saved after Transport Canada lifted new security requirements.

Since 1798, Horne's Ferry has been shuttling people between Wolfe Island and Cape Vincent, NY.

Last month Transport Canada came out with two new security measures, one of which meant the ferry required a regular police presence at the dock.

• RELATED LINK: Horne's Ferry

Wolfe Island has no budget for a full-time police force, and ferry operator Bruce Horne argued that it shouldn't have to find one.

"I just think that's going a little too far, to ask people to look after the national security problem, along with footing the bill," Horne said.

• FROM APRIL 14, 2003: New border measures threaten ferry service

Horne said the service, which carries an estimated 90,000 people per season, would have had to shut down if Transport Canada had remained unmoved.

Horne took his story to local politicians and media, and now says all that work seems to have paid off.

"The enhanced security measures that Transport Canada was putting forward were repealed because of the national and international pressure," he says.

An official from Transport Canada counters Horne, saying the decision was reversed because of "a reduction of hostilities in the Iraq war."

The Horne Ferry runs from May to October. Bruce Horne says it should now be able to open on time.