Næssundfærgen marks 10 years of volunteer operation

Næssundfærgen is marking 10 years of volunteer operation between southwest Mors and Thy, despite the withdrawal of funding from Morsø and Thisted municipalities, DR reports.

The municipalities ended their financial support in 2015, when the ferry faced an expensive repair. Volunteers on both sides of the sound have since kept the crossing operating with only a small amount of public funding.

“It is wonderful that we have managed to sail for so long, even though the municipality said at the time that it was a doomed project,” said Jens Bech-Mortensen, chairman of Næssundfærgens Venner. “It has only been possible because of the efforts of a great many volunteers.”

The ferry operates for half the year and is financed primarily through its regular service and numerous excursions on the Limfjord. Two volunteers also carry out repairs on the ageing vessel when needed.

“All the small repairs during the summer, which we previously called the shipyard to handle, are now carried out by two board members alone,” Bech-Mortensen said. “When repairs are needed, we do them ourselves after the day’s sailing.”

The anniversary is being celebrated with a flea market, bingo and music at the ferry harbour on Mors. Pedestrians can also use the ferry free of charge, allowing people from Thy to cross the sound and attend the celebrations.