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What time will the ferry be on the Missouri/Illinois side?
 Excluding the first run from the Illinois
landing each morning (6AM Monday thru Friday, 8AM Saturday and 10AM Sunday), the last run from the Illinois
to Missouri each night (during Spring-Fall Hours, 7:45PM Monday thru Thursday,
9:45PM Friday and Saturday, and 8:45PM Sunday), and the last run from Missouri to Illinois each night
(during Spring-Fall Hours, 8PM Monday thru Thursday, 10PM Friday and Saturday,
and 9PM Sunday), the Grafton Ferry does not arrive at or depart from either
shore according to any set schedule. The boat simply runs nonstop, back
and forth all day long, barring any unforeseen circumstances such as river
traffic, weather, or boat maintenance. There is a brief 15-minute delay
when we take on fuel, around midday two or three days a week on the Missouri
side.
Are you open on....?
 We are open every day of the year except New Year's Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Occasionally the ferry may be closed
due to scheduled maintenance, heavy ice or high water. If this is the
case, "CLOSED" signs will be posted at the ferry sign on Highway 94 in
St. Charles and at the ferry parking lot entrance in Grafton. Also, we
will post any closing notices on this website.
How can I find out if the ferry is running?
Check this website, or call the company office during
regular business hours at 636-250-3103.
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How long does it take to get across the river? How far is it?
Once we're underway, it takes approximately ten minutes to
reach the opposite shore. The trip length from one side to the other is
just under one mile.
How fast does the ferry boat go?
 On average, between three and a half and six
and a half knots, or about four to seven miles
per hour.
How deep is the river?
At normal pool, about four to six feet near the shore and
between the islands, and between ten and twenty-five feet in the wider parts of
the river. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains a channel depth of at
least nine feet for towboat traffic.
Is the river going up/down?
Check our River Stage page for the latest river
information from the National Weather Service.
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How many cars can
fit on the ferry?
The three lanes of the ferry barge easily fit four cars
each, twelve cars total. Depending on the size of the vehicles, we can usually squeeze on
another car in each lane if necessary, for a fully-loaded barge of fifteen cars. 
Can we get out of our car?
The Grafton Ferry transports all sorts of
vehicles including cars, trucks, busses, tractor trailers, farm equipment, motorcycles,
and
bicycles. We also carry pedestrians, so passengers are allowed on the ferry barge
deck.
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Is this a state-run ferry?
The Grafton Ferry Boat Company is privately-owned by
Derrill Machens and Pete Tully (pictured below right). Derrill and his wife Karla also own Aeries
Riverview Winery in Grafton, and Pete also owns Polestar Marina in St. Charles.
I'm
(Derrill or Pete's)
best-friend/second-cousin/long-lost-twin-sister/etc....
 We're sorry, but unless someone from the
Grafton Ferry Boat Company gave you a pass or specifically let the crew
know, everyone has to pay the ferryman. If we gave free rides to everyone who
says they know Pete or Derrill, we'd go broke. They're very popular
guys.
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How long has the Grafton Ferry been in operation?
The Grafton Ferry Grand Opening Weekend was October 26
& 27, 2002. The ferry began regular operation the following week.
Who is John W. Cannon?
 John W. Cannon, namesake of the first Grafton Ferry towing
vessel, was the son of a former Grafton mayor, and a Seaman First Class aboard
the U.S.S.
Franklin, a carrier in the Pacific during WWII. He was killed in
action on March 19, 1945 when the Franklin was struck by Japanese
bombers. John Cannon was awarded the Purple Heart
posthumously. His son, John Jr. (pictured right), was a guest of honor at the
ferry dedication ceremony on October 27, 2002, and his wife christened the
towboat.
By the way, another John W. Cannon also has a noteworthy
connection to the river: he was the victorious pilot of the Robert E. Lee
when it raced the Natchez in the most famous steamboat race in American history
during the summer of 1870.
Are there any eagles today?
The Grafton Ferry offers great opportunities for
eagle-watching. "Eagle Season" seems to grow longer each
year. In 2004, the eagles arrived in late September, and they stayed until
early April 2005. If you're aboard the ferry and looking for eagles, let the
deckhand know and he will try to point them out for you. The other large,
dark birds often seen circling the skies or perched in the island trees during
the summer months are
probably turkey vultures. The crew may refer to them as "tourist
eagles".
 While
the eagles are a big draw, you can view many different species of birds from the
Grafton Ferry. The photo at right is of an osprey fishing off the lower
island. Ospreys are much more rare to this area than eagles. Flocks
of pelicans migrate through the area in the fall and spring, and some have begun
to stay year-round. The pelicans flying in straight-line formation over
the bow of the boat is a spectacular sight. Many different kinds of ducks
and geese frequent the confluence area. For several weeks in February
2006, thousands of snow and blue geese floated through the ferry's course across
the Mississippi River, almost on a daily basis. You can see pictures of
the boat cutting through this massive flock on RiverBills.com
(look for the February 2006 winner of the Grafton Ferry Picture Contest).
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