Chester-Hadlyme Ferry Service Suspended for Repairs, Could Resume Mid-September

LYME, CT – The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that Chester-Hadlyme ferry service is temporarily closed for repairs to the 76-year-old Selden III.

The maintenance work comes as the state moves forward with plans to replace the historic ferry, with $8 million in federal and state funds announced last month by Gov. Ned Lamont.

DOT spokeswoman Eva Zymaris in a Tuesday email said the vessel, which has run between Chester and Hadlyme since 1950, has been removed from service pending drydock maintenance and seal replacement at the shipyard. 

Zymaris said service could resume by mid-September. The exact timing remains subject to change based on the repair schedule.

The vessel has been out of operation since at least Saturday, according to DOT updates.

Zymaris said the the planned replacement of the Selden III is still in its early stages, with an estimated timeline for design and construction not yet available.

The new vessel will feature diesel hybrid propulsion, which the agency said will improve the ferry’s reliability and efficiency by reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry transported more than 60,600 passengers and 27,900 vehicles in 2025, based on DOT statistics. As of Aug. 25, it had carried more than 34,600 passengers and 15,800 vehicles this year.

Customers are encouraged to plan accordingly and check CTroads.org for real-time ferry service updates and alerts. DOT traffic updates are also available on the LymeLine homepage.

The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry service is not impacted.

For additional information about the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, including schedules and fares, visit CT.gov/DOT/CTferries.