Ongiara (ferry)

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For other uses, see Ongiara (disambiguation).
Toronto ferry Ongiara

The Ongiara is a 58-year-old Toronto Island ferry operated by the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division of the City of Toronto government. The ferry serves the Toronto Islands from a dock at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

History[]

The only car ferry operated by the City of Toronto (all others are owned by Ports Toronto) was built in Owen Sound, Ontario by Russel Brothers[1] and commissioned in 1963 and carries both passengers (220) and vehicles (10 cars or 8 trucks). The latter is for City-owned vehicles that need to access the island.[2]

Her namesake is believed to be from the Mohawk word Ongiara, for point of land cut into two.[2] Ongiara was also the name of a former street on the Toronto Islands.

Operations[]

Ongiara in operation on a partially frozen lake Ontario

The car ferry operates from the mainland ferry terminal over to Hanlan's Point and Wards Island terminals. The ferry can operate year-round as long as the inner harbour is ice free. The only time the ferry did not carry passengers was during the 2010 G20 summit.[3]

Specifications[]

Ongiara in 2017

Details from Transport Canada[4]

Specification
Gross Tonnage: 180 tonnes (400,000 lb)
Net Tonnage: 122.05 tonnes (269,100 lb)
Length: 20.42 metres (67.0 ft)
Breadth: 11.0 metres (36.1 ft)
Depth: 2.65 metres (8.7 ft)
Draught:
Self-Propelled Power: 390 hp twin diesel
Speed: 10 knots (12 mph)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Briggs, Dr. Steve. "RUSSEL BROTHERS Ltd. Steelcraft winch boat and warping tug builders from Owen Sound, Ontario". www.russelbrothers.ca.
  2. ^ a b Filey, Mike (31 March 2014). Trillium and Toronto Island: The Centennial Edition. Dundurn. ISBN 9781770705500 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ https://info.publicintelligence.net/G20_ISU_background.pdf
  4. ^ Security, Transport Canada - Marine Safety and. "Marine Medical Examiners". wwwapps.tc.gc.ca.
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