DAWSON CITY – Loaders began pushing the George Black ferry down its ramp to the river at about 1:20 p.m. Friday, and the boat had been eased into the water by 1:30.

During the previous 24 hours, the drive shaft and the propellor, both having been damaged by underwater débris, had been replaced.

As well, what’s been described as an interim repair of some bearings had been carried out.

The ferry had been taken out of service last Monday due to excessive vibration and engine problems.

It was pulled out of the river early last Tuesday afternoon after the big winch trucks needed for the operation drove to Dawson from Whitehorse.

While the vessel was out of service, Fishwheel Charter was hired to ferry up to eight people at a time back and forth. Other people with boats also offered their services.

Facebook chatter from the west bank of the Yukon River had some 90 vehicles waiting to come across by the time the situation was resolved Friday afternoon.

No one was waiting in line on the Dawson side as the Department of Highways and Public Works’ illuminated sign had made it very clear there was no point forming a line.

More than just tourists were inconvenienced.

Miners were awaiting fuel shipments, and West Dawsonites who work in town had to figure out how to get to work and back home again.

Barriers were set up on the dike trail on Friday to keep people away from the action as loaders prepared to push the boat from its flat cradle area to the bend in the ramp that lets it have a smoothly-controlled descent to the river. There were quite a few interested spectators.

After a practice run or two, it was ready to be back in service, according to a Facebook notice posted at 3:43 p.m.

The daily schedule has been changed to avoid any further service interruptions.

Normally at this time of year, the George Black sails 24 hours a day (with a routine maintenance break in the wee hours), until mid-September, then 12 hours a day from mid-September to mid-October, when it shuts down for the season.

The last two years have seen it run until Oct. 21, but it can be sooner or later depending on river levels and ice build-up.

The latest notice posted on Saturday says: “The ferry will be running on a reduced schedule from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the remainder of the season.”

That’s short for the regular season, but longer than the usual last month.

Some residents and users are already organizing a petition to protest the planned hours over the next two to four weeks, as these don’t work well for people on late shifts at the hotels and at Diamond Tooth Gerties.