Pricing and specifics vary among companies that transport passengers and their vehicles by ferry, but this mode of transportation definitely is worth considering.
By Elizabeth Castillo, F516827
July/August 2024
Hawser.
Bollard.
Spring line.
True north.
Magnetic north.
Plimsoll mark.
Set and drift.
The romantic language of the sea has drawn me in and captivated me since the first time my dad made me weigh anchor on our little fishing boat on Lake Erie. The childhood wonder of seafaring has never left me, and by default has now drawn in my husband and spilled over into our RVing life.
Ferrying one’s RV should not feel prohibitive. It is far from the heart-pounding, beat-skipping, jet-set ride depicted on the “Miami Vice” television series. It is a slow, plodding, relaxing, rolling, waterborne buggy ride.
Washington State Ferries offers a variety of routes that accommodate travelers with RVs.
If a commercial vehicle services the ports you wish to visit, a ferry has conveyed them. If they have a fire department, a ferry has delivered the trucks. The ferry can certainly handle an RV of your dimension – owners of Super Cs, I’m talking to you!
A call to Miller Ferries, which serves the Lake Erie Islands, resulted in an abundance of information useful for RV owners wishing to ferry their vehicle. Based on U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Homeland Security protocols, as well as decades of experience, Miller Ferries officials recommend being honest about the length of one’s RV, and its weight if known. Long and heavy rigs will be placed near the center of the ferry to add to its stability, which also protects the vehicle from weather. Commercial vehicles require a reservation. RVs generally do not, but Miller Ferries advises that one should call to inquire, especially in the case of larger rigs.
The author enjoyed oysters at Hama Hama Oyster Saloon in Lilliwaup, Washington.
Miller Ferries exerts limits on gas cans and bulk fuel tanks, but RV propane tanks may travel. Some ferry lines insist that the valves be closed on the tanks, while others care not. It’s like the gas station or a highway tunnel: Make a decision based on the circumstances and safety at the time. You don’t want to shake hands with danger or put others at risk.
At the opposite end of the United States, the Washington State Department of Transportation operates a network of ferries around Seattle and the San Juan Islands. It was a joy to ferry our RV, instead of fighting metro traffic, to travel to Olympic National Park.
We gladly forked over about $92 for a 25-minute ferry ride between Port Townsend and Coupeville, Washington, which circumvented all of Seattle’s traffic. We were placed ideally for a drive down U.S. 101 to Hama Hama oyster bar (www.hamahamaoysters.com) and camping behind a winery in Hoodsport, Oregon.
Al fresco dining at Hama Hama Oyster Saloon.
Weather is always a consideration when ferrying. Seasickness inside an RV can be unpleasantly enhanced by the rocking and swaying of the vehicle suspension. Ensure that a window is open for the fresh breeze, or walk about the deck and vessel and see the maritime world around you. A bite of fresh ginger or a swig of ginger ale is a tried-and-true remedy for seasickness. Note that some ferry lines do not allow access to vehicles during the trip, or allow access only during set times.
And a tip for scenery watchers: Saltwater ferries often come with a sighting of dolphins or other sea life!
Putting an RV on a ferry can open the world to you through a different lens. Crew members speak a different language (“Release the bowline; then we’ll spring off the stern!”), and an approach to a city by water can be hypnotic. Boston never looked so good as the day we arrived by ferry from Salem.
Enjoy your travels, always rely on your checklist, and don’t forget to buckle up!
RV-FRIENDLY FERRIES: A SAMPLING
UNITED STATES
Alaska Marine Highway System
dot.alaska.gov/amhs
Viking Travel Inc. — Alaska Ferry
alaskaferry.com
St. John’s River Ferry (Florida)
ferry.jtafla.com
Lake Michigan Carferry
www.ssbadger.com
Mobile Bay Ferry (Alabama)
mobilebayferry.com
Cape May-Lewes Ferry (New Jersey, Delaware)
cmlf.com
Miller Ferries (Lake Erie islands, Ohio)
millerferry.com
North Carolina Ferry System (Outer Banks)
ncdot.gov/divisions/ferry
Washington State Ferries
wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries
CANADA
BCFerries
bcferries.com
Owen Sound Transportation Company (Ontario)
ontarioferries.com