The Roaring Bull V currently is in drydock  but is expected to be in operation by May, pending U.S. Coast Guard clearance. (Sentinel photo)

MILLERSBURG - The Roaring Bull V ferryboat is expected to be operational and in the Susquehanna River sometime in May. The Sentinel previously had reported that inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard resulted in both ferryboats - the Roaring Bull V and the Falcon III - being grounded for repairs. (Sentinel, Jan. 2 and 22.) " are being made to the Roaring Bull V and we are hoping to be in operation the first Saturday of May (3), for the Cherry Blossom Festival," said Diane Hammaker, operations manager for the Millersburg Ferry Boat Association.

Whether the Roaring  Bull can begin operations May 3 will "depend on the U.S. Coast Guard and when they will be available to perform their inspection of the repairs. Last year, they were unavailable until after the second week of May, thus delaying opening day," she said.

Damage to Falcon III more extensive. As previously reported, the Falcon III needs the most repairs - and the most funding to pay for labor and materials. The ferryboat not only needs extensive repairs, but also an engine replacement.

Repairs to the Falcon III will not begin until the association learns if it will be awarded grants. Applications for grants have been submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hammaker said.

The association does have concerns about whether it will receive the grants for the Falcon III because, "the federal funding to the Department of Agriculture was cut back for the January funding," she said.

Meanwhile, the Falcon III remains in drydock - possibly for up to 1 year - with the permission of the U.S. Coast Guard, she said.

Summer programs for the ferryboat. The dates for the ferryboat's "summer River Ramble Programs have not yet been set. Please advise your readers to look in the Sentinel (for the schedule) at a later date, or call the (ferryboat) office at 692-2442 (in mid-April or later) for a schedule," Hammaker said.

The office will open in mid-April, she said.

Students make life vest storage chests. Students in the Ag Shop class at the Upper Dauphin Area High School have built two storage chests for the ferry boat association. The chests are to hold life vests.

The students who built the chests are Kevin Dockey, Ryan Matter, Colby Kieffer, Keith Ramer, Jesse Wiest, Travis Lenker, Josh Stadheim and Cody Snyder.

Supplies to make the chests were donated by Kratzer Hardware and Klinger Lumber Co. Inc., both of Elizabethville, according to Hammaker.

Memberships or donations. The association is accepting memberships or donations toward the ferry boats' repairs, as follows:

• For a $25 annual membership, a person will receive two (semi-annual) newsletters and a membership card.

• For a $50 membership, a person would receive the two newsletters, the card, and two complimentary round-trip passes for the ferry.

• For a $100 membership, a person would receive the two newsletters, the card, and a book of 10 passes on the ferry.

• For a $500 membership, a person would receive the two newsletters, the card, the book of passes, and a small gift.

• For a $1,000 membership, a person would receive the newsletters, the card, the book of passes, a framed print of the ferry boat, and his/her name on the association's Captain's Club plaque.

• The member could have his/her name put on the plaque, or some other name as "in memory."

Anyone wishing to take out a membership, or make a donation to the association, may send a check or money order to the Millersburg Ferry Boat Association, P.O. Box 93, Millersburg PA 17061.

All donations are tax-deductible, Hammaker said.