White's Ferry breaks free of cable

DICKERSON, Md. - Service has been restored at White's Ferry after a cable snapped and sent the boat adrift on the Potomac River for nearly an hour.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said up to 14 people were on board at the time of the incident along with at least a dozen cars.

Several boats from Montgomery County and Loudoun County were used to secure the ferry to shore.

There was also a Good Samaritan who helped with the effort.

"A local resident was instrumental in securing the boat," said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. "The boat operator called for some help. The cable had broke loose or the ferry had broken loose from the cable. He was able to throw the chains and ropes to this nearby resident bystander. She was able to secure the boat downstream so that was instrumental."

A repair crew spent hours to get the boat back up and running.

"We had another cable ready to go," said White's Ferry general manager Matt Swenson. "We got on the boat. It was just a matter of tightening the cable up and getting it so the boat goes from landing to landing.

"It happens from time to time, not very often."

Once first responders arrived, they were able to escort passengers off the ferry. There were no injuries and no damage to the vehicles.

We are told at least 600 people use White's Ferry daily and that number is doubled on the weekends.