A look underneath the totaled ferry as it sits in Sistersville at the landing. (Photo by Chuck Clegg)

At 6 p.m., July 1, Mayor Bill Rice called the members of the Sistersville council to order. The only item on the special meeting agenda was the future of a ferry operation between West Virginia and Ohio.

For more than 200 years, the ferry has been the main way local residents have crossed the Ohio River. Early settlers on their way west and later the men and equipment of the oil boom used the services of the ferry.

It has weathered storms, river ice, lack of interest and changing times, and yet the citizens and the city council have seen fit to maintain the ferry as not only a historical part of the town, but the heart of the community.

The city has seen the oil boom come and go, major downtown fires, flooding, and yet the ferry has survived time and community disasters. But that future is now in question, as it is now in front of the city council and ferry board members.

By the comments and statements of council members it is their consensus that no one wants to be the mayor or council member who takes away the landmark. But they also know the reality of the condition of the current boat, and the cost not of saving the present boat, but of a replacement. That is the question the council members had before its last Wednesday evening.

The totaled Sistersville Ferry tug sits atop a barge in the Ohio River, awaiting its fate. (Photo by Chuck Clegg)

Rice has spearheaded the drive to find answers to several questions concerning the boat’s future. Gary Bowden chairman of the Sistersville Ferry Board spoke about the efforts the committee has extended to find answers. He explained the ferry board has $94,000 in their account. Part of the money comes from grants and donations, and some from the operating proceeds. He explained that some of the money is available, but monies committed from grants, may only be used for special operational needs. He did state $15,000 designated for operation cost has been approved toward the restoration of the service.

The insurance out after salvage expenses stands at $162,000. The salvage company has offered $30,000 for the old boat if used toward the purchase of one of two boats they have in stock. Each has a cost of $250,000. The boats in question have three years left on their inspection certificates.

Rice pointed out to council members that the boats in question are for sale, and if they delay their decision for too long, there is a possibility they may be sold.

One of the boats is less than 26 feet and would not require a licensed pilot. The other would need a certified pilot operator.

The insurance company has offered to take the old boat but it will reduce the payout to around $90,000.

Council members questioned the cost of insuring the new boat, operating cost, fuel and wages. Bowden explained 70% of the cost of operating the ferry is wages.

It was stated that the ferry board would be open to going to Facebook for a Go Fund Me account. At a meeting early that day, state Sen. Charles Clements said he could give $10,000 from his appropriations money toward the boat depending on what the council decides. State Del. Bill Bell told Rice the day of the salvage he was going to appropriate $25,000 toward the project.

One council person stated, “We don’t know the cost of the insurance; we don’t know if we will have a captain and crew and we don’t know the cost of operating the boat.”

“I hope this council is not the council that is going to end a 200-year tradition. We, as the ferry board, are willing and eager to go to work trying to get the ferry back in operation,” Bowden said.

“I want something in black and white to know the future cost, when it comes to employees, and operating cost,” said another council person.

A motion was made and passed to allow until July 15 to clarify the different monies pledged, and funds available from all accounts. A delegation also will travel to Pittsburgh to ascertain if either boat will fill the needs of the city. Motion passed.