Neebish Islander Ferry Moves to Limited Runs After Incident Damages Rudder

BARBEAU, MI – The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA) is advising Neebish Island residents and visitors that the Neebish Islander Ill will be running on a limited schedule, effective immediately.

This is due to an incident Tuesday morning while encountering dense fog conditions. The end result to the vessel damage is a sheared rudder shaft, and the loss of one of its two rudders. The United States Coast Guard has given the Neebish Islander Ill permission to run on one rudder with the following special conditions. To ensure safety while providing vital transportation, the Neebish Islander Ill Ferry will have the following special operating conditions:

Limited schedule: A small number of back-to-back runs in the morning to transport residents off the island, and a corresponding set of evening runs to return them. The morning runs will tentatively begin at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until all traffic is cleared. This is pending there are not any fog or visibility conditions hindering movement. The evening runs will tentatively begin at 6 p.m. and will continue until all traffic is cleared. This is pending there are not any fog or visibility conditions hindering movement.
Vehicle restrictions: Passenger vehicles only, as vehicles will need to back off the ferry boat.
Capacity limit: A maximum of eight vehicles per trip.
No trailers: Trailers will not be permitted.
Weight and size limits: No oversize or excessively heavy loads will be accepted.
Favorable weather only: Operations will be suspended during adverse weather, requiring no or very little fog, good visibility, sustained winds under 20 mph, and gusts under 25 mph.
Daylight hours only: No operations after dark.
Emergency runs: EUPTA has been granted permission to run outside of the above restrictions in the event of emergencies.

All vehicles will need to back off the ferry when unloading. This is a necessity due to running on one rudder. The unusual nature of this unloading will require all customers to travel at their own risk of vehicle damage. The special operating conditions will last approximately two weeks to give EUPTA time to schedule, coordinate, and make repairs. For the most up-to-date information please refer to www.eupta.net/ferry-svstem/eupta-delays-and-cancellations, Neebish Island Ferry Facebook page, delays and cancellations hotline: 906-632-1516.

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