Bigger, better boat added to Miller Ferries' fleet

PUT-IN-BAY — Miller Ferries has contracted with Fraser Shipyards of Superior, Wisconsin, to build a new drive-on, drive-off passenger/vehicle ferry, scheduled for delivery in fall 2019.The new ferry will be delivered from Lake Superior to Lake Erie and her new home port of Put-in-Bay. The vessel will be christened, or named after, Mary Ann Market (1935-2010) in honor of the family matriarch and the company's late owner. The new 140-by-38.5 ferry will accommodate 26 standard-sized vehicles, or 600 passengers, and will join Miller's present fleet of four passenger/vehicle ferries. The Mary Ann Market will feature:• Enhanced propulsion and maneuverability• A main deck handicap accessible passenger cabin and restroom• A 20 percent increase in cargo capacity over Miller's largest vesselThe vessel will be built in modules and assembled at Fraser Shipyards beginning fall 2018 and throughout 2019."We chose Fraser due to their enduring high quality, integrity, value and with consideration of recommendations from industry professionals including marine surveyors, lake Captains, and engineers," Miller Boat Line president Billy Market said.Miller Ferries operate between the peninsula of Catawba to Put-in-Bay, also known as South Bass Island, in addition to Middle Bass Island.History lesson: MIller Boat Line/Miller FerriesAbout Miller Boat LineThe Miller Boat Livery was founded in 1905 in the island harbor of Put-in-Bay as a water taxi, fishing charter and ice harvesting company.The company evolved under owners Lee and Mary Miller during the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s into a ferry boat line with a fleet of four passenger/vehicle ferries.William E. Market (Bill) and his wife, Mary Ann, of Put-in-Bay purchased the Miller Boat Line in 1978 from Mary Miller. The Markets chose to keep the name "Miller" in honor of the founding family.Bill Market oversaw the construction of four new ferries: the M/V Islander, built in 1983; M/V South Bass, built in 1989; M/V William Market built in 1993; and the M/V Put-in-Bay, built in 1997 and lengthened in 2010. These newer, larger vessels were designed to accommodate more passengers, carry longer and taller construction-type vehicles as well as increased speed to maintain a more frequent trip schedule.During the 1980s and 1990s, the older vessels were sold to other Great Lakes ferry companies.Today Miller Boat Line is owned and operated by Bill and Mary Ann's children, Julene Market, Billy Market and Scott Market. Billy and Scott Market's children work within the company. A new Miller Ferries boat, the Mary Ann Market, will accommodate 26 standard-sized vehicles, or 600 passengers, and will join Miller's present fleet of four passenger/vehicle ferries.