The City of Sistersville II partially sank April 11 on the Ohio River, prompting a multiagency response to recover the vessel and return it to service.
The ferry operates between Sistersville, W.Va., and the community of Fly, Ohio, providing a local river crossing for vehicles and passengers.
Sistersville Mayor Bill Rice believes a combination of winter river conditions and fluctuating water levels contributed to the incident. Rising water earlier in the season pushed the ferry onto the riverbank, he said in a statement posted to Facebook. As levels receded, the vessel shifted position. On April 11, crews moved the ferry back toward its normal operating position, but it began taking on water and sank within minutes.
Initial response efforts have focused on environmental protection and stabilizing the vessel. Officials are prioritizing the removal of onboard fuel before any lifting operations begin.
A coordinated recovery plan began today under the oversight of the United States Coast Guard. Participating agencies include Clean Harbors, Cannonsburg, Pa., the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, and the New Martinsville Fire Department rescue boat team.
Divers from the sheriff’s department are expected to assist with underwater assessment and rigging, while airbag lifting systems will be used as part of the salvage operation. Officials indicated that once fuel removal is complete, crews will attempt to raise the vessel and move it to a facility for further inspection and repairs.
Local officials have also been coordinating with the ferry’s insurer, Great American Insurance Company, as recovery and damage assessments move forward.
Prior to the sinking, attempts were made to remove water from the vessel after April 9 reports that it was taking on water. Equipment limitations and site conditions hindered those efforts, and the source of the ingress has not yet been confirmed. Officials noted the possibility of hull damage sustained while the ferry was grounded on the bank during high water events.
The timeline for returning the ferry to service will depend on the extent of damage identified following recovery.
