HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, on Wednesday applauded the Senate’s passage of Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018.
One element Upton included in the package deregulates the rule that the Saugatuck Chain Ferry must be operated by someone licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard — this is part of the U.S. Code., under section 8902 of title 46.
“Come spring, the historic Saugatuck Chain Ferry will be moving again,” Upton said in a statement emailed to media. “Our bipartisan efforts will exempt the Chain Ferry from being operated by an individual licensed by the Coast Guard. As local leaders have expressed repeatedly, the Chain Ferry is a hand-cranked vessel and the current regulations are woefully outdated. We’re hopeful we can get this modernization effort across the finish line as soon as possible, understanding the importance of the Chain Ferry to the entire Saugatuck community.”
Saugatuck City Manager Kirk Harrier expressed appreciation for the effort.
Upton had previously authored a letter to Congressional leaders to push for this provision.
