MV Wolfe Islander III

Wolfe Islander III is the ferry currently serving between Kingston, Ontario and Wolfe Island. She can hold approximately 55 cars, and is end-loading. The length of the car deck is 61 metres (200 feet). The vehicle height restriction is 4.4 m (14 feet, 5 inches). As it is the only public access to Wolfe Island, the vessel operates as a free ferry. Crossing time is approximately 20 minutes. She was launched into service on 5 February 1976 by then Ontario Minister of Transportation, James W. Snow.[1]

Vehicles loading off Wolfe Islander III at the ferry docks in Kingston harbour.
History
Name	Wolfe Islander III
Owner	Ontario Government
Operator	Ministry of Transportation
Port of registry	Kingston, Ontario
Route	Kingston, Ontario and Wolfe Island (Ontario)
Cost	$17.1 million
Laid down	5 August 1973
Launched	1 September 1973
Christened	1 February 1975
Completed	1 January 1975
Acquired	1 February 1976
Maiden voyage	2 February 1976
In service	5 February 1976
Identification	IMO number: 7423079 MMSI number: 316013007 Callsign: VA3418
Status	In service
General characteristics
Tonnage	1,550 GT 1,150 NT
Displacement	660 tons (empty) 990 tons (part load/half load) 1,490 tons (full load)
Length	200 ft (61 m)
Beam	65 ft (19.8 m)
Draught	6 ft (1.8 m)
Depth	11.5 ft (3.5 m)
Decks	2
Deck clearance	18 ft 6 inch (5.64 m)
Ramps	2
Installed power	1,850 bhp (1,380 kW)
Propulsion	2 x LM1900 Diesel units 4 × Caterpillar W 24 cylinder, 2,200 HP diesel engines
Speed	18 knots (33.34 km/h)
Capacity	55 cars & 296 passengers
Crew	6

The previous ferry in service was Wolfe Islander II.

The ferry terminal on Wolfe Island varied by season until the fall of 2020. During the summer season (approximately April to December), the Marysville dock was used, while during the winter season (December to April), the Dawson’s Point dock was used, located 4.8 km (3.0 mi) east of Marysville. During the three-year reconstruction of the Barrack Street Dock in Kingston and the Marysville dock on Wolfe Island, the Dawson's Point dock will be used year-round on the Wolfe Island side.[2] The route used to include a bubbler system that stretched to the Barrack Street Dock in Kingston, Ontario. It became non-operational for several years, and the machinery was removed in the fall of 2020 during Barrack Street dock reconstruction at Kingston.[3]

The Kingston Terminal is located at the foot of Barrack Street, at Ontario Street.

In 2017, the Ontario provincial government ordered a new battery electric powered 98 metres (322 ft) ferry with a capacity of 399 people and 75 vehicles from Damen Group to operate the Wolfe Island route.[4] That new ferry, the MV Wolfe Islander IV was to have begun operations in April 2022 as the new vessel is compatible with both the existing and new dock and ramp infrastructure.[5]