Stow Ferry Up And Running
By PATRICK L. FANELLI
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8/28/2006 - After weeks of delays, setbacks and work, the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry is finally up and running — this time for good.
Ferry officials even have a schedule set for the last few weeks of the summer so residents and vacationers will know when to make a stop at one of the vessel’s landings on either side of Chautauqua Lake.
‘‘I’m happy to report that the ferry will run, and we’ll not only be selling tickets, but we’ll also be gratefully accepting donations,’’ said county Legislator Fred Croscut, R-Sherman, who helped get the ferry up and running again.
According to Croscut, tickets will be $3.50 a person and vehicle. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and noon to 6 p.m. weekdays. Regular hours began Saturday.
Ellery resident John Cheney was instrumental in getting the ferry running again and was relieved all the hurdles had finally been cleared.
‘‘Finally, something everyone didn’t think could be done is done,’’ Cheney said.
He also said the ferry might run later than 6 p.m. each day if there is a demand for it, but added it would depend on ridership.
The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry used to be run by the non-profit Chautauqua Lake Historic Vessels Company. Mismanagement led Cheney and a handful of public officials to lead an effort to get the ferry up and running again — an effort that spanned the entire summer.
They initially hoped to have it running by July 4, but the difficulty of acquiring the necessary insurance resulted in delays.
The ferry operated for a day or two in mid-July until one of the cables that guides it across the lake snapped — and it took some time before a replacement could be purchased.
Finally, though, the insurance is in place, the cables have been replaced, and Cheney has made every upgrade to the ferry that was possible — making public officials confident it will run daily until the end of the season.
‘‘I don’t know what else we can do with this ferry,’’ Croscut said. ‘‘It’s in the best shape I can say it’s been for years.’’
Ferry officials even have a schedule set for the last few weeks of the summer so residents and vacationers will know when to make a stop at one of the vessel’s landings on either side of Chautauqua Lake.
‘‘I’m happy to report that the ferry will run, and we’ll not only be selling tickets, but we’ll also be gratefully accepting donations,’’ said county Legislator Fred Croscut, R-Sherman, who helped get the ferry up and running again.
According to Croscut, tickets will be $3.50 a person and vehicle. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and noon to 6 p.m. weekdays. Regular hours began Saturday.
Ellery resident John Cheney was instrumental in getting the ferry running again and was relieved all the hurdles had finally been cleared.
‘‘Finally, something everyone didn’t think could be done is done,’’ Cheney said.
He also said the ferry might run later than 6 p.m. each day if there is a demand for it, but added it would depend on ridership.
The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry used to be run by the non-profit Chautauqua Lake Historic Vessels Company. Mismanagement led Cheney and a handful of public officials to lead an effort to get the ferry up and running again — an effort that spanned the entire summer.
They initially hoped to have it running by July 4, but the difficulty of acquiring the necessary insurance resulted in delays.
The ferry operated for a day or two in mid-July until one of the cables that guides it across the lake snapped — and it took some time before a replacement could be purchased.
Finally, though, the insurance is in place, the cables have been replaced, and Cheney has made every upgrade to the ferry that was possible — making public officials confident it will run daily until the end of the season.
‘‘I don’t know what else we can do with this ferry,’’ Croscut said. ‘‘It’s in the best shape I can say it’s been for years.’’
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