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Historic Sistersville Ferry faces uncertain future after tugboat deemed total loss

The Sistersville Ferry tugboat as it sits on a barge. (Photo provided)

The future of the historic Sistersville Ferry took a step backward this week as ferry officials announced that the vessel’s tugboat, which sank in April, has been declared unrepairable by the insurance company.

The announcement was made Tuesday following weeks of assessments and discussions regarding the damage sustained during an accident that occurred on April 9.

According to city officials, the incident began when the ferry’s tug started taking on water. Ferry Board President Gary Bowden alerted Sistersville Mayor Bill Rice after concerns arose about the vessel’s condition. Initial efforts to pump water from the tug proved unsuccessful and the tug sunk due to damage possibly sustained during springtime flooding on the Ohio River. The steep incline of the ferry apron also created significant challenges for recovery crews.

A large-scale emergency response followed as multiple agencies and private companies worked together to stabilize the situation and protect the Ohio River from potential environmental impacts. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard provided equipment and technical guidance, while Clean Harbors and the New Martinsville Fire Department deployed containment booms to prevent diesel fuel from escaping into the river.

Recovery efforts continued for several days before a crane provided by River Salvage of Pittsburgh, Pa. was used on April 13 to lift the tug onto the ferry’s barge for further inspection.

Community members have anxiously awaited news regarding the ferry’s future since the accident. Ferry officials said they intentionally delayed making a public statement until a definitive assessment of the vessel’s condition was received.

That assessment has now concluded with the insurance company determining the tugboat is a total loss and cannot be economically repaired. Officials noted that the ferry’s barge, commonly referred to as the “flat” that carries vehicles across the Ohio River, was not included in the insurance determination and remains usable.

Despite the setback, Ferry Board members and Rice emphasized their commitment to maintaining river crossing service between Sistersville and Fly.

“The ferry board and city remain committed to providing transportation service across the river and preserving this treasured piece of Ohio Valley history,” Rice said.

The Sistersville Ferry has operated in various forms for more than 200 years and remains one of the few remaining ferry services on the Ohio River. Throughout its long history, several tugboats have been replaced as needed to keep the service operational.

Officials expressed confidence that, with community support and outside assistance, another replacement tug can be secured.

The need for dependable transportation across the river has become increasingly important as construction continues on a new hospital in Sistersville. Community members have voiced strong support for maintaining a reliable and economically feasible river crossing at this location, citing both practical transportation needs and the ferry’s historic significance.

To move the project forward, ferry officials are actively researching grant opportunities and other funding sources while beginning the search for a suitable replacement vessel.

While the loss of the tug marks a significant challenge, local leaders remain optimistic that the iconic Sistersville Ferry will once again carry travelers across the Ohio River, continuing a tradition that has connected communities on both sides of the river for generations.

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