LORAIN — A new ferry service from Lorain to the Lake Erie islands should be ready to go in time for Fourth of July weekend runs.

“That’s what our goal is, but the boat is at the shipyard now. The carpeting is down and the seats have been re-upholstered, but they’re painting it, which is weather-driven,” said Richard Novak, executive director of the Lorain Port Authority. “We hope it will be here by the Fourth of July weekend.”

The Port Authority has been working for nearly five years to establish ferry service from Black River Landing to the Lake Erie islands. In April, the Port Authority agreed to spend $1.658 million to purchase a 98-foot high-speed boat from Port Imperial Ferry Corp., in Weehawken, N.J.

Initial runs will include Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island, but Novak said the hope is to include other islands and even Cedar Point in the future. The service could create as many as 12 jobs, Novak said.

Jet Express will operate and maintain the ferry service, which will carry up to 149 guests and crew during the 70-minute ride.

Jet Express agreed to put up $350,000 toward the boat purchase and will own 49 percent of the service. The Port Authority will own the other 51 percent and will receive a portion of ticket sales and dock fees. The Port Authority received $1.4 million in federal funds for the purchase.

The boat has to travel here from New Jersey, go through inspections and be cleaned off again, but Novak said the Port Authority is pushing hard to get it here in time.

“We’ve made one payment, but we won’t pay them in full until they’re done,” Novak said.

Ticket prices still haven’t been determined because of fluctuating gas prices, Novak said, adding Jet Express wants to run the boat to get a feel for how much fuel a round trip will take.

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastelli@chroniclet.com.

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