Champion's Auto Ferry

Champion's Auto Ferry Providing safe, reliable transportation since 1937.
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Ice Update 2/18/26Jake took the boat downstream this morning and broke up as much ice as he could. This made some room t...
02/18/2026

Ice Update
2/18/26

Jake took the boat downstream this morning and broke up as much ice as he could. This made some room to absorb upriver ice, down to the head of Dickinson Island, which should buy us approximately half an hour if the ice upriver lets loose.
The warmer temps and rain have helped melt out some of the ice, but there is still some pretty thick stuff upriver. At the head of Russell Island, it’s approximately “one house story” high, certainly thicker than we can break through.
Please keep your emergency plan updated and your supplies on hand in case we do have to suspend service.

From Jake:As spring is right around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone that with the increasedtemperatures comes an...
02/09/2026

From Jake:

As spring is right around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone that with the increased
temperatures comes an increased risk of ice jams. As the river and lake ice begins to melt and break up,
the ice can suddenly shift and force the ferry to shut down with little to no warning. Historically, the
longest and most severe ferry shutdowns have been in the spring time due to the ice thickness, as well as
the fact that we cannot establish and/or maintain a path through the ice if the temperatures are above
freezing.
With the warming temperatures that are predicted in the coming weeks, please ensure that you are
prepared in the event that ice forces the ferry to suspend service. This should include having at least 2
weeks of food, diapers, medication, pet supplies, and other necessities on hand. It is also recommended
that you keep your vehicle(s) topped off with fuel, as well as make arrangements for an alternate place to
stay if you and/or your family get stuck on the wrong side of the river.
The ferry will continue to provide updates via the WINS system and the ferry phone number,
however if/when the ice upstream of the ferry lets loose, the amount of warning you receive will likely be
measured in minutes, not hours. As such, please take any precautions that you deem necessary until the
river and Lake Huron ice has melted and/or flowed through into Lake St. Clair.
Please share this notice with your neighbors and friends to ensure that everyone is prepared.

Thank you,
Jake Bryson

01/19/2026

**update 1/19 10:45am**
The ferry has resumed service.

The ferry has had to suspend operations for the night. They will begin cutting a path at daybreak.

01/18/2026

Well that was fast!
Jake predicts a high likelyhood of an ice jam and subsequent interruption of ferry service in the next 24-48 hours.
The North channel is plugged, the middle is moving for now, which give us some room to work. However, cold temps the next few days may put a halt to that.
We will continue to monitor and update as the situation evolves.
Thank you!

01/18/2026

Here is a better list from Justin Westmiller:

Winter on Harsens Island – Plan Ahead for Ice Delays

North Channel ice can slow or pause the ferry without much notice. If you’re living on or visiting the island, assume you may need to stay a bit longer than planned during cold snaps. Being prepared helps everyone:

• Bring or store extra medication and medical supplies
• Keep food, water, and pet supplies on hand
• Keep vehicles fueled and ready
• Plan for flexible work or school schedules during freeze periods
• Plan ahead for guests and contractors who may need to stay longer
• Fire/EMS continue to operate on the island – dial 911 for emergencies
• Watch official updates for ferry status changes

01/18/2026

**updated**

Here is a better list from Justin Westmiller:

Winter on Harsens Island – Plan Ahead for Ice Delays

North Channel ice can slow or pause the ferry without much notice. If you’re living on or visiting the island, assume you may need to stay a bit longer than planned during cold snaps. Being prepared helps everyone:

• Bring or store extra medication and medical supplies
• Keep food, water, and pet supplies on hand
• Keep vehicles fueled and ready
• Plan for flexible work or school schedules during freeze periods
• Plan ahead for guests and contractors who may need to stay longer
• Fire/EMS continue to operate on the island – dial 911 for emergencies
• Watch official updates for ferry status changes

Greetings, Islanders!
It’s that time of year again-ice season!
I will post a better, official list from the office of the County Emergency Services Manager, but I wanted to just put it on everyone’s radar to have an “ice plan” in place.
-Pack a bag of essentials to keep in your car (clothes, toiletries, meds, etc) in case you get stuck on one side or the other.
-Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank topped off.
-Stock up on non-perishable food items, baby needs, pet needs, etc.
-Keep prescriptions filled.

Champion’s will continuously monitor the ice and if we anticipate any interruptions in ferry service, we will immediately notify the public to give them as much advance notice as possible. Please share information with your families, friends, and neighbors as not everyone is on social media or signed up for WINS alerts. We will also keep the ferry’s answering machine message updated if ferry service is interrupted.
These predictions are not an exact science so we appreciate your patience and grace as we navigate the next few months of cold weather.

Team building exercises here at Champion’s Auto Ferry 🤣 Bean Boozled from Sweet Tooth!
10/01/2025

Team building exercises here at Champion’s Auto Ferry 🤣 Bean Boozled from Sweet Tooth!

02/28/2025

***Ferry Information*** 2/28/25 1pm

I want to first thank everyone for their kind words of thanks on my posts-I’m sorry I haven’t replied to you individually, but do know that I see you and appreciate you!

We’ve had some significant chunks of ice flow by today, and while there is quite a bit of room downstream to absorb some ice, we will be monitoring the situation carefully in case it starts to build up.

The wind is due to switch out of the north overnight tonight, which may drive more lake ice down.

So as usual during this time of year, with these conditions, just be prepared for potential shut downs.

Thank you,
Becky

02/26/2025

***Ferry Update*** 2/26/25 1045am

Jake anticipates a high likelyhood of having to suspend service again within an hour, or by this afternoon. A USCG cutter was upstream doing their thing and the ice is flowing heavily again.
We understand how frustrating this development may be. Please let your friends, family and neighbors know.
Thank you,
Becky

02/26/2025

***Ferry Update*** 2/26/25 8:45am
The ferry has resumed service. The ice thinned out downstream overnight so Jake was able to move ice this morning and establish a path.
Thank you,
Becky

02/26/2025

*** Ferry Update *** 2/25/25 11:15pm

The ferry has suspended service. Jake will reevaluate in the morning to see if we can establish a safe path again.
Thank you,
Becky

02/23/2025

***Ferry Update*** 2/23/25 9am

The ferry has resumed service. Please be advised that the path Jake created is tenuous. Any additional significantly sized pieces of ice that come down could disrupt service again. This disruption could happen quickly with little notice.
Thank you,
Becky

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3647 Pte. Tremble Road
Algonac, MI
48001

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