State shuts down Chautauqua Lake ferry

NORTH HARMONY, N.Y. (AP) - A ferry that has been operating on a western New York lake for more than 80 years has been shut down after it failed to pass inspection.

But the head of the organization that operates the service on Chautauqua Lake says every state regulation for marine vessels shouldn't apply to the 84-year-old Bemus Point-Stow Ferry.

Director John Cheney tells the Post-Journal of Jamestown ( http://bit.ly/MhyZkF ) that he was told by a state inspector that the ferry needs to have an anchor, an electric horn and other equipment before it can begin operating for the season.

Cheney says the vessel doesn't need an anchor because it's operated by cables attached to each shore, and the ferry already has a bell and traditional blow horn to sound warnings.

He's working to have the ferry meet regulations.

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Information from: The Post-Journal, http://www.post-journal.com