Get a sneak peak of the new Pelee Islander II, due to arrive today

It’s bigger and it’s supposed to be better — the Pelee Islander II is expected to arrive in Kingsville Friday. The new ferry can carry up to 399 passengers and crew, which is double the number of passengers of the Pelee Islander.

The new ferry won't be put into service until September, public welcoming later in the summer

CBC News ·
Inside passenger seating area of the Pelee Islander II. (Ministry of Transportation)

It's bigger and it's supposed to be better — the new Pelee Islander II is expected to arrive in Kingsville Friday.

The new ferry can carry up to 399 passengers and crew, which is double the number of passengers of the Pelee Islander, plus it can carry four tractor trailers and 16 cars or 34 cars when there are no tractor trailers.

It has roughly the same car-carrying capacity as the Jimaan.

Currently, the Pelee Islander can only carry 10 cars.

The Ministry of Transportation said the ferry passed through the Welland Canal Thursday and is expected to arrive in Kingsville Friday, although a spokesperson did not have an exact time.

"From there, we'll need to dock for some time for crew training before it begins service," said Liane Fisher Bloxam, a spokesperson with the MTO.

Cafeteria of the Pelee Islander II. (Ministry of Transportation)

It was built in Valdivia, Chile and has already been "christened," but officials are planning some sort of public welcoming ceremony later this summer.

It's expected to be put into service in September, said Fisher Bloxam. She added it's being docked in Kingsville instead of Leamington, because there's more space for it to do training exercises.

In the meantime, the MTO has released several photos for the public to get a sneak peak.

Cafeteria serving area. (Ministry of Transportation)Deck passenger seating. (Ministry of Transportation)Aft seating area, including pet area. (Ministry of Transportation)Deck passenger seating on board the Pelee Islander II. (Ministry of Transportation)

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