Get a sneak peak inside of the much anticipated new Pelee Islander II
The new ferry won't be put into service until September, public welcoming later in the summer
It's bigger and it's supposed to be better — the new Pelee Islander II has arrived in Kingsville Friday, much to the delight of people waiting for to see it in person for the first time.
The new ferry can carry up to 399 passengers and crew, which is double the number of passengers of the Pelee Islander, plus it can carry four tractor trailers and 16 cars or 34 cars when there are no tractor trailers.
It has roughly the same car-carrying capacity as the Jimaan.
Currently, the Pelee Islander can only carry 10 cars.
The Ministry of Transportation said the ferry passed through the Welland Canal Thursday then made its way to Kingsville Friday around noon.
The ferry was expected to pass by the Town of Pelee in the morning and blow a salute as she passed the west dock on her way to Kingsville, where the ferry dock is closed for the day.
Officials were encouraging the public to come out and watch.
Good Morning <a href="https://twitter.com/TownOfPelee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TownOfPelee</a> ! We have a surprise for you... PI2 is coming to visit you FIRST! Come down to the West Dock and see PI2 round Sheridan Pt at 1045, and will blow a salute as she passes West dock before arriving <a href="https://twitter.com/TweetLeamington?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TweetLeamington</a> ETA 1200 <a href="https://t.co/0cylmkbi4r">pic.twitter.com/0cylmkbi4r</a>
—@peleeferry
"From there, we'll need to dock [in Kingsville] for some time for crew training before it begins service," said Liane Fisher Bloxam, a spokesperson with the MTO.
It was built in Valdivia, Chile and has already been "christened," but officials are planning some sort of public welcoming ceremony later this summer.
It's expected to be put into service in September, said Fisher Bloxam. She added it's being docked in Kingsville instead of Leamington, because there's more space for it to do training exercises.
In the meantime, the MTO has released several photos for the public to get a sneak peak.