J.W. Westcott II, also known as the floating post office, is a 45-foot-long tugboat that acts as a USPS contracted mail courier, delivering mail and other packages to vessels while underway. It operates out of Detroit, Michigan, and is the only floating post office in the United States.
The Westcott company was established in 1874 by Captain John Ward Westcott, who ferried supplies (and by 1895 the mail) to passing ships via rowboat. By 1949, the company commissioned Paasch Marine Service of Erie, Pennsylvania to build J.W. Westcott II, named in honor of the Westcott company’s founder. The ship is 45 feet (14 m) in length and has a beam of 13 feet (4.0 m). A single screw is powered by a 305 horsepower (227 kW) marine diesel engine. The boat’s speed is rated at 15 knots.
Any mail addressed to members of ships’ crews on vessels transiting the Detroit River can be delivered to them via J. W. Westcott II by being addressed “Vessel Name, Marine Post Office, Detroit, Michigan, 48222.” The US postal zip code 48222 is exclusive to the floating post office and its ship addressees; as of 2016, the boat has a contract with the US Postal Service through 2021. The mail is delivered to the appropriate ships (mainly lake freighters) as they transit the Detroit River, utilizing ropes and buckets.
Since 1874, the J.W. Westcott Company has been serving the Port of Detroit, offering ship-to-shore service 24 hours a day, during the navigation season, April through December. They offer the U.S. mail delivery Freight delivery, storage & forwarding Message service Water taxi service (to and from vessels) Pilot boat services for the Port of Detroit Grocery Delivery underway or Dock Side. The sale and delivery of snacks & cigarettes Marine Bookstore offers the U.S. and Canadian nautical charts, U.S. Government Publications, maritime history books, manuals for the professional mariner & postcards At J.W. Westcott, they’re proud of their fine heritage and look forward to serving you in the future.
The J.W. Westcott II, owned and operated by the J.W. Westcott Company based in Detroit,Michigan.
Frequently asked questions about J.W. Westcott II
Where can I learn more about J. W. Westcott’s history?
The J.W. Westcott was launched as the company’s first motor-powered boat in 1910, and during the busiest part of the season, this small steamer might shepherd a number of rowboats between vessels simultaneously. In 1949, the J.W. Westcott II debuted as the primary carrier (no more rowboats) and remains so today. More…
What’s the J.W. Westcott II ii zip code?
The J. W. Westcott Zipcode is 48222 zip code
Where do they deliver mail by boat?
Those who live on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin are in rare company in that they have their mail delivered by boat for the summer months.
What’s the post office on a boat?
J. W. Westcott II is also known as the floating post office, a 45-foot-long tugboat.