About the Washington Island Ferry Line

Ferry History

When you reach the end of Highway 42, at the tip of Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula, you’ll find Northport Pier and the Washington Island Ferry Line.

The Washington Island Ferry Line was started in 1940 with two existing wooden ferries. Over the years steel ferries were added and today the line boasts modern, Coast Guard-approved vessels that make up to 25 round trips a day during high season and two round trips per day in winter.

After vehicles and passengers are safely on board at the Northport ferry dock, the ferry will embark on a 30-minute ride past Plum, Pilot and Detroit Islands. This area is filled with history. You will be making the same passage as the Native Americans who paddled their canoes from island to island, French explorers who came to the area and schooners that traveled this passage a century ago. Relax and enjoy the ride!

Historic photo of the Washington Island Ferry Line

Washington Island Ferry Fleet

There are five ferries that make up the current Washington Island Ferry fleet. Each ferry can carry 149 passengers and 18-22 standard-sized vehicles. The fleet includes the Arni J. Richter, a unique four-season ferry built for the Washington Island Ferry Line in 2003.

Historic photo of the Washington Island Ferry Line

Arni J. Richter (Ice Breaker)

  • Official Number
  • 1140323
  • Year Built
  • 2003
  • Builder
  • Bay Ship Building, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Dimensions
  • 104’ x 38’ x 10’
  • Gross Tonnage
  • 92 Tons
  • Propulsion
  • 2 CAT 3508B, 1000 hp each at 1600 rpm
  • Capacity
  • 149 Passengers, 18 Autos
  • Other
  • Ice hull, ice class propeller. Named after long-time ferry line owner, captain and islander, Arni Richter.
Historic photo of the Washington Island Ferry Line

Eyrarbakki

  • Official Number
  • 527292
  • Year Built
  • 1970
  • Builder
  • Bay Ship Building, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Dimensions
  • 87’ x 36’ x 8’
  • Gross Tonnage
  • 95.7 Tons
  • Propulsion
  • 2 Cummins NTA 855, 350 hp ea. at 1800 rpm
  • Capacity
  • 149 Passengers, 18 Autos
  • Other
  • Named after a village on the southern coast of Iceland, port of emigration for many Icelanders who came to Washington Island in the late 1800s.
Historic photo of the Washington Island Ferry Line

Robert Noble

  • Official Number
  • 606532
  • Year Built
  • 1979
  • Builder
  • Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Dimensions
  • 90’ x 36’ x 8’
  • Gross Tonnage
  • 97 Tons
  • Propulsion
  • 2 CAT C18, 454 hp ea. at 1800 rpm
  • Capacity
  • 149 Passengers, 19 Autos
  • Other
  • Named after a 25-year-old man who survived icy Death’s Door waters in December of 1864. A few years later, Noble became owner and operator of the first ferry in Door County, operating in Sturgeon Bay until a bridge was eventually constructed in 1870.
Historic photo of the Washington Island Ferry Line

Washington

  • Official Number
  • 949690
  • Year Built
  • 1989
  • Builder
  • Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Dimensions
  • 100’ x 37’ x 9’
  • Gross Tonnage
  • 82 Tons
  • Propulsion
  • 2 CAT C18, 487 hp ea. at 1800 rpm
  • Capacity
  • 149 Passengers, 21 Autos
  • Other
  • Named for the flagship of a squadron of three U.S. vessels which anchored in the northern island harbor (now Washington Harbor), and later secured a foothold in Green Bay following the War of 1812.
Historic photo of the Washington Island Ferry Line

Madonna (Ice Breaker)

  • Official Number
  • ON 1303582
  • Year Built
  • 2020
  • Designer
  • Seacraft Design, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Builder
  • Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Dimensions
  • 124’ x 40’ x 10’8” (15’ overhead clearance on main car deck)
  • Performance
  • 10 mph service speed, 13 mph max.
  • Propulsion
  • 2 x EPA Tier 3 Caterpillar C32 @800 hp ea. (Fabick CAT, Green Bay, WI)
  • Propellers
  • 60” 4 blade Kahlenberg Industries stainless steel (Two Rivers, WI)
  • Fuel Capacity
  • 9,500 gallons
  • Gears/Marine Transmissions
  • Twin Disc MG-540 3.9:1 ratio (Racine, WI)
  • Gensets
  • 2 x 30 kw Northern Lights
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Hi Tec Fabrication (Sturgeon Bay, WI)
  • Cooling Systems
  • R.W. Fernstrum Gridcooler keel coolers (Menominee, MI)
  • Horns
  • Kahlenberg Industries (Two Rivers, WI)
  • Capacity
  • 149 passengers, 28 standard autos
  • Other
  • Named after a historic schooner built in 1871 that served the community for many years by carrying goods and materials to and from Detroit Harbor Washington Island and various Lake Michigan ports.