The City of Mackinac Island has approved suspending the Mackinac Island Ferry Co., leaving only one passenger ferry service to the island in operation.
The MIFC, also known as Star Line, was purchased in late June by the private equity firm, Hoffmann Marine. The ferries were revealed to have structural issues that would require millions of dollars to repair.
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry — which is also owned by Hoffmann — is now picking up the slack and handling all traffic to the island. The Mackinac Island city council approved upping Shepler's ferry schedule to account for increased volume.
Shepler's president, Chris Shepler said people with pre-purchased MIFC tickets can exchange them for a Shepler's ticket.
"This is definitely a new era in ferry transportation to Mackinac Island..." Shepler said at the meeting. "Now, that's a responsibility we take very seriously ... But I will say it comes down to trust."
The city council agreed to revisit the ferry schedule for October and develop plans for the off-season at a later date.
Mackinac Island mayor, Margaret Doud said there will be some "bumps in the road," but the island will survive.
“I think we all are very apprehensive when it comes to change, but we have been through change on Mackinac before, and we will get through this too,” Doud said.
According to Shepler's, Hoffmann Marine is putting $4 million toward repairing the MIFC fleet. Repairs are expected to be completed ahead of the 2025 summer season.
In addition to suspending MIFC operations until Oct. 31, the plan approved by the council includes the following conditions:
- MIFC docks will be closed to ferry service, and Shepler’s will ferry all guests.
- All ticket sales to the island will be handled online through Shepler's website or on-site at Shepler's tickets offices. MIFC web traffic will be redirected to Shepler's.
- All pre-purchased MIFC tickets will be honored by Shepler’s through their expiration date. Guests can exchange tickets at the Shepler’s ticket offices.
- Guests will use Shepler’s parking and proceed to Shepler’s docks for boarding.
- With exception to valet parking, all parking previously paid through MIFC will be available, and shuttles will transport guests from MIFC parking to Shepler's ferry in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.
- Small freight items like groceries and household items for island residents and businesses will be ferried via Shepler's at the same rate as MIFC.
- Private horses may be moved on the MIFC's Anna May.
- Shepler's will work with local authorities to direct traffic flow at the docks.
- Shepler’s will honor tickets purchased through hotels or third-party vendors through Aug. 31. After that, guests may seek refunds where they purchased the tickets.
- The schedule presented on Aug. 12 will be adopted through Aug. 19 to Oct. 6. A new schedule for Oct. 7 to Oct. 31 must be presented by Shepler's before Labor Day.
