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The Harrop–Proctor Cable Ferry
by John MacFarlane 2018
The Harrop–Proctor Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
The Harrop ferry runs across Kootenay River, on Highway 3A, 24.5 kilometres northeast of Nelson and 8 kilometres west of Balfour to the communities of Harrop and Procter (on the south bank). Ferry capacity is 24 vehicles and 98 passengers. There is a vehicle and passenger ferry that connects the two sides. The ferry facility minimal. A concrete ramp serves as access that is bracketed by the cables anchored to the shore. There are anchor points on the shore that adjust the cables according to the fluctuating water levels in the river. The variation over the year is significant and requires constant adjustment.
The Harrop Proctor Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
The community has created a small shelter facility on the Harrop side of the shore. It has an attractive carved sign to mark the location. Service hours are on demand, 24 hours per day. Crossing Time is 5 minutes. The operator is Western Pacific Marine.
The Harrop Proctor Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
The hardware setup was almost identical to the other cable ferries that I had seen at other locations. The spring freshet was so high that the crew was speculating that there would not be enough slack in the cable to accommodate the high water levels.
The Harrop Proctor Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
The Harrop Proctor Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
There is a small engine driving the mechanism that crawls along the cable.
The Harrop Proctor Ferry (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)
Soon after my visit a new ferry, the Harrop II, was put into service. As far as I know the old vessel has been retired.
To quote from this article please cite:
MacFarlane, John (2018) The Harrop–Proctor Cable Ferry. Nauticapedia.ca 2018. http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Harrop_Ferry.php
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