ferry crash toronto

Toronto Island ferry slams into dock in another worrying incident for aging fleet

The aging Toronto Island ferry fleet suffered another incident on Thursday when an almost 90-year-old vessel experienced a mechanical issue while docking at Jack Layton Terminal, requiring an emergency stop.

Minor injuries were reported due to the sudden stop, though paramedics confirmed to media outlets on Thursday evening that no passengers were transported to hospital.

The incident occurred just after 6:15 p.m. when the William Inglis ferry reportedly crashed into a pole while attempting to dock at the ferry terminal. City officials have informed media that the vessel was removed from service following the incident but pledges to continue service to all three islands with remaining ferries.

The William Inglis entered service in 1935 — 89 years ago — only adding to growing concerns about the age of the ferry fleet.

It is the second such incident involving a Toronto Island ferry in recent years, following a 2022 crash involving the Sam McBride ferry that injured 20 passengers.

The findings of an investigation into this crash were released in August, with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) identifying multiple safety and emergency preparedness issues.

While the City claims to have implemented some recommendations from the TSB, the latest crash suggests that the fleet may still have some way to meet safety standards.

Toronto is expecting two new all-electric ferries to enter service by December 2026 at a cost of $92 million, though Mayor Olivia Chow has made a push to look into leasing temporary ferries to address the shortcomings of the current fleet in the interim.

Lead photo by

Zoran Karapancev / Shutterstock.com


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Huge TTC parking lot in Toronto about to close forever ahead of redevelopment

Justin Trudeau pledges to save Toronto's Santa Claus Parade

Closure-plagued Toronto streetcar line is finally back in full force

Olivia Chow is going to war with Doug Ford over controversial new bill

Over 55,000 Canada Post workers now on strike and here's how it'll affect you

Here are some Canadian government jobs based in Ontario that pay very well

University of Toronto named among world's best in another category

Toronto plans to install signs blaming Doug Ford for traffic