A local man was killed in a one-vehicle accident on Thursday, October 13 at 9:23 a.m. Andy McMurtry, 30, of Fountain Run, was traveling west on Browns Ford Road when he lost control of the 1995 Nissan he was driving and left the roadway, struck a grassy embankment and went through a wooden fence.

Kentucky State Police Trooper David Hall is investigating the accident.

A native of Lafayette, Tennessee, he was an employee of Holley Carburetor and a member of Fountain Run Old Missionary Baptist Church. His wife Shelley and two children, Kaden and Kailey, survive.

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Vibrations shudder through the small tugboat. The motor churns the water and pulls away from the bank. The boat moves a barge housing three cars and ferries them to the other side of the river. The 24-hour a day ferry is the only free-floating ferry owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and an important part of Monroe County heritage.

According to Rondal Bartley, an operator of the Cumberland River Ferry, the ferry was acquired by the state in 1968. Prior to the acquisition, Cleo Finley privately owned the ferry. The ferry has been in operation for over 100 years, and before 1947, the ferry was operated without a motor.

Bartley has worked on the ferry for 12 years and still recalls the first time he drove the ferry across the river. He said he was a little nervous, but was confident in his abilities and successfully guided the ferry across. Bartley attended the Memphis River School to begin his training to be an operator of the ferry. After about a year and a half, Bartley said he took a test with the coast guard allowing him to be a certified operator.

Bartley had worked at the Red Kap factory for 33 years before becoming a ferry operator. Bartley said that he was fortunate to apply for the job at the right time. A former employee was preparing to retire and left a job opening to be filled.

The busiest period of the day is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bartley said the busy period usually continues even later into the night. The ferry operates every day, rain or shine.

Steve Dotson, another operator on the ferry, said that his favorite part of working on the ferry is the chance to spend time outdoors. He added that even though he enjoys being outside, the weather isn’t always nice.

Bartley said that it’s a little scary when storms move through the area. In especially rough weather, Bartley said that the ferry sometimes pauses to allow the storm to pass. Otherwise, the ferry continues its normal operation of carrying cars from one side of the river to the other.

Even though they try to continue running in all conditions, some situations make operation impossible. Last May, heavy rains led to flooding on the Cumberland River that made safely landing the ferry difficult. As a result, the ferry was out of service for two days.

A lot of regulars take the ferry, but just as many strangers come through the area, said Bartley. They also see more than just the usual car or truck.

“Motorcycle riders like to cross the river,” Bartley said. “Especially on weekends.”

The operation of the ferry is structured and secure. Bartley said that there is a checklist that helps to ensure that the ferry is up to standards. Oil and gas are maintained on a weekly basis to keep the boat running efficiently. The Coast Guard also visits to do regular inspection upon the boat. Bartley said that they are also certified in first aid, CPR and man overboard training.

Operating on a 24-hour schedule also means three different shifts. The shifts switch after a period of 13 weeks. Bartley said it has not always operated in this manner. Before, workers would work for six days, have two days off and shifts would switch. He said that the schedule made the shifting sleep schedules difficult.

As a free-floating ferry, no cables hold the ferry in place. With the ferry depending on the motor to keep it on track, a malfunction could spell trouble. Bartley recalls a time when the motor went out on the barge. He said that all you can do in such situations is hope the boat drifts close enough to the bank to be tied down, otherwise the boat will continue down the river following the current. He added that he was lucky that the boat didn’t drift far before hitting the bank.

The ferry is composed of a tugboat and barge. Attaching the barge to the ferry is a hitch. Bartley said the barge is relatively new, being added in 2009 to the ferry. The motor is also new, being changed two to three months ago. Bartley also mentioned that they are expecting a replacement tugboat soon. The upgrade has the operators excited, as the current tug is around 12 years old.

Nature is a part of the job that seems to be most appealing for not only Dotson, but Bartley as well. Bartley said his favorite part of the job is “just being out and enjoying the nature,” and nature has a large presence on the Cumberland River. Bartley said that he sees a wide variety of animals while working on the ferry, including bald eagles, ospreys, otters and beavers.

Bringing nature closer to the ferry are two unique additions to the barge. In the front and back are two hummingbird feeders. The amount of hummingbirds attracted to the feeders is astounding. Six or more hummingbirds at a time hover around the feeder, vying for a taste.

A rare part of Kentucky history and heritage, the ferry is another part of Monroe County that helps it to stand out. Be it for nature, tourism or simply getting across the river, the ferry helps to represent Monroe County.