Ongiara (ferry)

The only car ferry operated by the City of Toronto (all others are owned by Ports Toronto) was built in Owen Sound, Ontario by Russel Brothers[1] and commissioned in 1963 and carries both passengers (220) and vehicles (10 cars or 8 trucks).

[2] Her namesake is believed to be from the Mohawk word Ongiara, for point of land cut into two.

Ontario band Great Lake Swimmers named their 2007 album Ongiara after the vessel.

Because of the Ongiara's small size, island residents are used to winds causing a hard docking.

Service vehicles were routed to the Bathurst Street ferry, where Toronto Port Authority and Toronto Police would escort all vehicles through the airport to access the Islands.