Lake Champlain Transportation Company
Encyclopedia
The Lake Champlain Transportation Company (LCTC or just LCT) provides car and passenger ferry
service at four points on Lake Champlain
in the United States
. From 1976 to 2003, it was owned by Burlington, Vermont
, businessman Raymond C. Pecor, Jr. who is Chairman of the company's board. In 2003, he sold the company to his son, Raymond Pecor III.
Lake Champlain is the sixth-largest lake in the United States, reaching a maximum width of 12 miles (19.3 km) and depths of more than 300 feet (91.4 m). As such, there is no bridging of the "broad lake" north of Crown Point, New York
, and south of the Rouses Point
-Alburg-Swanton crossing near the Canada border, though bridging of the lake near Plattsburgh has been proposed. The ferry service allows convenient transport across the lake between New York
and Vermont
. Approximately one million passengers cross the lake by ferry each year.
Most runs employs at least two double-ended diesel
ferries, making the crossings in opposite directions. All ferries are capable of carrying large trucks as well as cars, bicycles, and foot passengers and are of a roll-on, roll-off design (although they can operate single-ended in the event of an engine failure). Credit cards are not accepted on some routes. Under the terms of the Maritime Transportation Security Act, vehicles and luggage brought on board some LCT vessels may be subject to search. Most runs are considered quite scenic.
During the summer, the company also provides dinner cruises and charters from Burlington as well as special runs that allow the watching of the Independence Day
fireworks display at the Burlington waterfront.
This route abruptly shut down for six weeks in February 2009 when its ice-breaking vessels were redeployed elsewhere. According to the company website, the plan for the winter of 2010-2011 is for this run to have single ferry service, delivered alternately by the Governor Aiken and the Adirondack. At present, the company has no plans for use of an ice-breaking ferry
on the Charlotte-Essex run in the winter of 2010-2011; this is anticipated to result in a winter closure. This route is depended on by many commuters to get to medical appointments, work, and school.
Until the 1920s when the Champlain Bridge
was built, this was the primary route for cross-lake travel.
Park-and-ride service is available on both ends. Snack/ice cream/gift shop vending available.
.
In 2001, the company spoke out against a proposed plan to build a bridge that would replace this route.
, to Chimney Point, Vermont
. This 20 minute crossing operated 24-hours per day due to the removal of the Champlain Bridge
due to structural problems and the construction of a new span.
With the new Champlain Bridge opening, this ferry crossing was no longer needed so the service ended as of November 7, 2011.
Ferries used by the Lake Champlain Transportation Company, including six vessels that can run in ice:
Under an approximately $600,000 grant from National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, a United States Environmental Protection Agency
program partly funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
, ferries in this fleet are being overhauled to reduce emissions.
During the winter, Lake Champlain sometimes ices over, making ferry service on the long Burlington-Port Kent route impractical. The Grand Isle-Cumberland Head route is short enough to maintain an open channel, and the distance to the Rouses Point bridge makes it practical for substantial motor traffic to use the ferry, justifying the difficulty of keeping the ferry service operating. The ferries used on this run are of the ice-breaking type; their hulls and propellers are reinforced to allow the boats to operate through thin or broken ice. By operating continuously, the ferries maintain an open channel throughout the winter ice season.
In the past, the ferries did not operate around the clock, but in winter time, a few runs were made through the night to prevent the ice from freezing solidly. Now, scheduled runs continue throughout the night.
and United Way, and to educational institutions such as the University of Vermont
and Champlain College
.
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service at four points on Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. From 1976 to 2003, it was owned by Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
, businessman Raymond C. Pecor, Jr. who is Chairman of the company's board. In 2003, he sold the company to his son, Raymond Pecor III.
Lake Champlain is the sixth-largest lake in the United States, reaching a maximum width of 12 miles (19.3 km) and depths of more than 300 feet (91.4 m). As such, there is no bridging of the "broad lake" north of Crown Point, New York
Crown Point, New York
Crown Point is a town in Essex County, New York, USA. The population was 2,119 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is a direct translation of the original French name, "Point au Chevalure."...
, and south of the Rouses Point
Rouses Point, New York
Rouses Point is a village in Clinton County, New York, United States, along the 45th parallel. The population was 2,209 at the 2010 census. The village is named after Jacques Rouse, an early settler....
-Alburg-Swanton crossing near the Canada border, though bridging of the lake near Plattsburgh has been proposed. The ferry service allows convenient transport across the lake between New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. Approximately one million passengers cross the lake by ferry each year.
Service area
Service was originally provided at three points, listed from south to north:- CharlotteCharlotte, VermontCharlotte is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Sofia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, youngest daughter of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.The population was 3,569 at the 2000 census....
, VTVermontVermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
to EssexEssex, New YorkEssex is a town in Essex County, New York, United States overlooking Lake Champlain. The population was 713 at the 2000 census. The town is named after locations in England.The Town of Essex is on the eastern edge of the county...
, NYNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... - BurlingtonBurlington, VermontBurlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
, VTVermontVermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
to Port KentPort Kent, New YorkPort Kent, New York is a community in Essex County, New York, on Lake Champlain. Ferry service to Vermont is provided by the Lake Champlain Transportation Company; the community also has an Amtrak railroad stop....
, NYNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... - Grand IsleGrand Isle, VermontGrand Isle is a town in Grand Isle County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,955 at the 2000 census.A landing for the Lake Champlain Transportation Company's ferry to Plattsburgh, New York at Cumberland Head is located on the western shore of Grand Isle at Gordon's...
, VTVermontVermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
to Plattsburgh, NYNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
at Cumberland Head
Most runs employs at least two double-ended diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
ferries, making the crossings in opposite directions. All ferries are capable of carrying large trucks as well as cars, bicycles, and foot passengers and are of a roll-on, roll-off design (although they can operate single-ended in the event of an engine failure). Credit cards are not accepted on some routes. Under the terms of the Maritime Transportation Security Act, vehicles and luggage brought on board some LCT vessels may be subject to search. Most runs are considered quite scenic.
During the summer, the company also provides dinner cruises and charters from Burlington as well as special runs that allow the watching of the Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
fireworks display at the Burlington waterfront.
Charlotte-Essex
The Charlotte-Essex ferry is run year-round, but may not operate if there is heavy icing on the lake. This became a year-round route in 1998 and has operated year-round all but two winters since.This route abruptly shut down for six weeks in February 2009 when its ice-breaking vessels were redeployed elsewhere. According to the company website, the plan for the winter of 2010-2011 is for this run to have single ferry service, delivered alternately by the Governor Aiken and the Adirondack. At present, the company has no plans for use of an ice-breaking ferry
Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
on the Charlotte-Essex run in the winter of 2010-2011; this is anticipated to result in a winter closure. This route is depended on by many commuters to get to medical appointments, work, and school.
Until the 1920s when the Champlain Bridge
Champlain Bridge (United States)
The Champlain Bridge was a long vehicular bridge in the United States that traversed Lake Champlain between Crown Point, New York and Chimney Point, Vermont. It was opened to traffic in 1929 as a toll bridge; the tolls were removed in 1987...
was built, this was the primary route for cross-lake travel.
Burlington-Port Kent
The Burlington-Port Kent ferry crosses the maximum width of the lake and does not operate in the winter. This crossing takes approximately one hour.Park-and-ride service is available on both ends. Snack/ice cream/gift shop vending available.
Grand Isle-Plattsburgh
The Grand Isle-Plattsburgh ferry is an ice-breaking route and provides 24-hour service year-round. The crossing on this route takes approximately 12 minutes. The company is expected to reconstruct the ferry slip on the New York side of this run and expand it for additional capacity using monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
.
In 2001, the company spoke out against a proposed plan to build a bridge that would replace this route.
Crown Point, NY-Chimney Point, VT
In addition, a temporary ferry operated by the company, for free at the expense of the states of New York and Vermont at a cost to the states of about $10 per car, temporarily operated from Crown Point, New YorkCrown Point, New York
Crown Point is a town in Essex County, New York, USA. The population was 2,119 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is a direct translation of the original French name, "Point au Chevalure."...
, to Chimney Point, Vermont
Chimney Point, Vermont
Chimney Point is an unincorporated community in the town of Addison in Addison County, Vermont, United States. It lies across Lake Champlain from Crown Point, New York. French settlers established the community of Hocquart near modern-day Chimney Point in 1730. This first settlement in Vermont...
. This 20 minute crossing operated 24-hours per day due to the removal of the Champlain Bridge
Champlain Bridge (United States)
The Champlain Bridge was a long vehicular bridge in the United States that traversed Lake Champlain between Crown Point, New York and Chimney Point, Vermont. It was opened to traffic in 1929 as a toll bridge; the tolls were removed in 1987...
due to structural problems and the construction of a new span.
With the new Champlain Bridge opening, this ferry crossing was no longer needed so the service ended as of November 7, 2011.
The ferries used by the LCTC
- The Adirondack (the oldest, in-service, double-ended ferryboat of all time, built 1913, named after the Adirondack MountainsAdirondack MountainsThe Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
) - The Champlain (built 1930)
- The Essex (named after Essex, New YorkEssex, New YorkEssex is a town in Essex County, New York, United States overlooking Lake Champlain. The population was 713 at the 2000 census. The town is named after locations in England.The Town of Essex is on the eastern edge of the county...
) - The Evans Wadhams Wolcott (built 1988 to run in ice; the "EWW", pronounced "E, double-U, double-U" and named after Lewis P. Evans, Jr., Richard H. Wadhams and James G. Wolcott, the founders of the modern company)
- The Governor George D. Aiken (built 1975; named after the former governor of Vermont and U.S. SenatorGeorge AikenGeorge David Aiken was an American politician from Vermont. A Republican, he served as the 64th Governor of Vermont from 1937 to 1941 and as a U.S. Senator from 1941 to 1975...
) - The Grand Isle (built 1953; runs in ice; named after the Vermont town but running on the Charlotte-Essex crossing)
- The Northern Lights (built 2002 to look like a steamer; used for charter cruises under the brand "Lake Champlain Cruises.")
- The Plattsburgh (built 1984 to run in the ice; named after Plattsburgh, New York)
- The Valcour (built 1947; named after Valcour IslandValcour IslandValcour Island is an island in Lake Champlain in Clinton County, New York, USA. The island is mostly in the Town of Peru and partly in the Town of Plattsburgh, southeast of the City of Plattsburgh....
, site of a military battle) - The Vermont (built 1992 to run in ice)
- The Cumberland (built 2000 to run in ice; out of service for maintenance as of November 2010; named for Cumberland HeadCumberland Head, New YorkCumberland Head is a census-designated place and region of the Town of Plattsburgh in Clinton County, New York, United States. The population was 1,627 at the 2010 census....
, the specific location of the Plattsburgh ferry slip) - The Raymond C. Pecor Jr.,(built 2010) named for Raymond Pecor who ran the company from 1976 to 2004, father of Trey Pecor (aka Raymond Pecor III), the company's current president.. (Raymond Pecor is also the owner of the Vermont Lake MonstersVermont Lake MonstersThe Vermont Lake Monsters are a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the Oakland Athletics. The team plays its home games at Centennial Field on the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, Vermont...
, a minor league baseball team headquartered in Burlington.)
Under an approximately $600,000 grant from National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, a United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
program partly funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
, ferries in this fleet are being overhauled to reduce emissions.
Ice-breaking on Lake Champlain
In the past, the ferries did not operate around the clock, but in winter time, a few runs were made through the night to prevent the ice from freezing solidly. Now, scheduled runs continue throughout the night.
Charitable donations
Lake Champlain Transportation is the largest contributor to the Pecor Family Foundation, contributing over $250,000 in the tax years 2006-2008. The foundation makes large contributions to such charities as the American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
and United Way, and to educational institutions such as the University of Vermont
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
and Champlain College
Champlain College
Champlain College is a private, coeducational college located in Burlington, Vermont. It offers professionally focused programs that incorporate an interdisciplinary core curriculum. In addition to its main campus, the College maintains study-abroad campuses in Montreal and Dublin, and offers...
.
External links
- Official website
- All-winter Essex Ferry service critical by Mac MacDevitt and Andy Buchanan, Press-Republican, November 28, 2010.