Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry Adds Capacity During Peak Hours

Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry has increased capacity of its ferry service to and from Mackinac Island to meet peak season demand.

Shepler’s boats are now running every 15 minutes from its docks in Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and on the Island during peak hours.

“Our guests have been terrific, and our team has really stepped up to meet the peak season demand,” says Chris Shepler, CEO of Shepler’s. “We’ve added runs to our regular schedule to keep wait times to a minimum and to keep our promise to deliver first class service to every guest, every day.”

This comes after Hoffmann Marine, which owns Shepler’s and purchased Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Co. (MIFC) in June 2024, discovered the MIFC fleet was in significant disrepair.

The company stated it pulled eight of 10 MIFC vessels out of service in July for the safety and convenience of its guests and the safety of its employees.

Hoffmann worked with Mayor Margaret Doud and the Mackinac Island City Council, which holds the ferry service franchise agreement with both Shepler’s and MIFC, to formalize suspension of all MIFC service to allow Hoffmann to overhaul the fleet.

On Aug. 14, the Mackinac Island City Council approved an addendum to its 2012 ferry service franchise agreement with MIFC allowing suspension of MIFC ferry passenger services from August 19, 2024, through October 31, 2024.

All MIFC website traffic is being redirected to www.sheplersferry.com .

The new arrangements include:

• MIFC docks are closed to ferry service. Shepler’s will serve all ferry guests.
• All ticket sales will be online at sheplersferry.com or onsite at Shepler’s ticket offices.
• All valid pre-purchased MIFC tickets and passes will be honored by Shepler’s up to the expiration date of that ticket or pass. MIFC tickets and passes can be exchanged at Shepler’s ticket offices at the Shepler’s docks in Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and on Mackinac Island.
• All ferry guests should use Shepler’s parking and proceed to Shepler’s docks for ticketing and boarding.
• Guests who prepaid for MIFC onsite parking will be allowed to park in Shepler’s lots if space is available. If space is not available, guests may drop off luggage at the Shepler’s dock, check in at the ticket office for a parking permit, and from there will be directed to an off-site lot. Ground transportation will be provided from off-site lots to Shepler’s docks.
• All MIFC web traffic has been redirected to www.sheplersferry.com where guests can purchase tickets at the current established Shepler’s rates. Only the current Shepler’s services, including parking and ferry tickets, will be available. MIFC valet, pirate ship, and classic ferry tickets are no longer available.
• Clarifying previously released information, MIFC tickets will no longer be sold through hotels and other third-party vendors. Shepler’s will honor MIFC discounted third-party tickets through Aug. 31. After that, customers may seek refunds through the hotel or third-party vendor where they purchased the MIFC ticket. This third-party vendor ticketing process is currently under review by the Mackinac Island City Council and is subject to change.

Hoffmann Marine, which is part of Hoffmann Family of Cos., will now work with the Council to reach agreement on how the company will service Mackinac Island after Oct. 31.

Hoffmann Family of Cos. is a multi-vertical, family-owned private equity firm consisting of more than 110 global brands, and employs 11,000 employees with businesses located in 30 countries and 400 locations around the world.

The company, based in Naples, Fla., serves such markets as aviation, agriculture, financial services, hospitality, business and professional services, industrial, manufacturing, marine, media and marketing, real estate, and transportation.

For more information, visit www.hfcompanies.com .

The post Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry Adds Capacity During Peak Hours appeared first on DBusiness Magazine .