Miller Boat Line “Mary Ann Market” A Show-Stopper

Miller Boat Line, Put-in-Bay, provides excellent images of their new ferry, the “Mary Ann Market.”  In case you missed the grand arrival at South Bass Island, it was a show-stopper.  People gathered in many locations to capture the moment in photographs, including along the Put-in-Bay waterfront, from the observation deck of Perry’s Monument, and in the open water between the Bass Islands.  Below are photos released by Miller Boat Line, in addition to important distinguishing facts about the vessel. Click any image for enlarged view!

Passenger safety, comfort, and vessel efficiency enhancements include the following:

• ADA guided designs of main deck cabin, restroom, and layout.
• Additional deck seating outdoors and an enclosed cabin, panoramic views from spacious upper deck, broad stairwells, audio/visual messaging, quiet ride, and easily sanitized surfaces.
• Temperature controlled interiors and upper deck enclosed cabin. Upper deck forward facing and side cabin windows to allow wide vistas.
• 3x 803HP Caterpillar C18 engines, Tier 3 EPA Emission Standards.
• The Mary Ann Market has an Automatic Identification System (AIS).

About Miller Boat Line

“The Miller Boat Livery was founded in 1905 in the island harbor of Put-in-Bay as a water taxi, fishing charter and ice harvesting company. The company evolved under owners Lee and Mary Miller during the late 1940’s, ’50’s and ’60’s into a ferry boat line with a fleet of four passenger/vehicle ferries.  William E. Market (Bill) and his wife Mary Ann of Put-in-Bay purchased the Miller Boat Line in 1978 from Mary Miller.  The Markets chose to keep the name “Miller” in honor of the founding family. Bill Market oversaw the construction of four new ferries; the Islander (built 1983), South Bass (built 1989), William Market (built 1993), and Put-in-Bay (built 1997, lengthened 2010). These newer, larger vessels were designed to accommodate more passengers, carry longer and taller construction-type vehicles, as well as increased speed to maintain a more frequent trip schedule. During the 1980’s and ’90’s the older vessels were sold to other Great Lakes ferry companies.

Today Miller Boat Line is owned and operated by Bill and Mary Ann’s children, Julene Market, Billy Market and Scott Market, and also Billy and Scott Market’s children work within the company. The family states, ‘We look forward to welcoming the new Mary Ann Market, it will be a proud and nostalgic moment to see her operate alongside the other island ferries.’”