Ferry crew shortage cuts off Wolfe Island – again – over weekend

Hundreds of travellers were once again left stranded Saturday after the Wolfe Island ferry was taken out of service for nearly six hours because of a crew shortage, disrupting the only transportation link between the island and mainland during one of the busiest weekends of the summer.

The interruption began shortly after the 8:30 a.m. sailing from Wolfe Island on Saturday, Jun. 27, 2026, when the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced service had been suspended because of a shortage of crew members. Service resumed at approximately 2:30 p.m.

The Wolfe Island ferry is the only year-round connection for the island's roughly 1,600 residents, while also carrying thousands of tourists and seasonal visitors during the summer months.

The MTO said the interruption was caused by a crew shortage. The ministry did not immediately respond Monday, Jun. 29, 2026, to questions from Kingstonist about the shutdown or the union's allegations of chronic understaffing. While response was received confirming that the ferry resumed service later in the day, no response was received to the questions posed; Kingstonist has requested further information from the provincial ministry.

Saturday's suspension was another chapter in the Wolfe Island ferry's long-running reliability problems. Over the past several years, residents have endured repeated service interruptions caused by everything from mechanical breakdowns to staffing shortages, with each disruption renewing questions about the province's management of the island's only year-round transportation link.

The shutdown prompted an immediate response from OPSEU/SEFPO Local 428, the union representing workers on the Wolfe Island, Amherst Island, and Glenora ferry services.

In a news release issued Saturday afternoon, the union argued the disruption was the predictable result of years of understaffing.

"One of our workers is sick today. Normally, an employer would call in a replacement for an overtime shift; today, no replacement is available," the union said. "It is unavoidable that people sometimes get sick. What was completely avoidable was an operational shutdown after one worker gets sick."

The union said it has warned the Ministry of Transportation in recent years that staffing levels have become increasingly fragile.

"Local 428 has told the MTO for years that under-resourcing has put the Wolfe Island Ferry Service into a precarious state where operational issues have become the predictable result."

According to the union, staffing levels have declined over the past decade even as ferry schedules have expanded to meet growing demand. The union also pointed to another service interruption on June 15, which it said occurred after another employee called in sick.

The ministry has not publicly responded to the union's broader allegations regarding staffing levels.

The weekend disruption was followed by another service interruption Monday, although under different circumstances. The MTO advised passengers via its social media channels that ferry service was temporarily delayed due to a medical emergency. Service later resumed.

While unrelated to Saturday's crew shortage, the second interruption highlighted the importance of maintaining reliable ferry service for island residents, commuters, and visitors who depend on the route every day.

Kingstonist has reached out to the Ministry of Transportation, OPSEU/SEFPO Local 428, Frontenac Islands Mayor Judy Greenwood-Speers, Kingston and the Islands Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Ted Hsu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation Ric Bresee, and union representatives for comment on Saturday's shutdown and the staffing concerns raised by ferry workers.

A follow-up article examining the causes of the disruption, the province's staffing practices, and the response from those involved will be published as additional information becomes available.