Port director says ferry repairs nearly complete; water booster station and shipyard work continuing
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Summary
Executive director Charles D. Tillotson reported progress on ferry landings and vessel repairs, delivery of preliminary design for a diesel-electric ferry, water booster station handoff to parish, and ongoing shipyard overhauls at the Jan. 30 port meeting.
Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District Executive Director Charles D. Tillotson told the commission Jan. 30 that emergency repairs to the Pointe-a-la-Hache ferry landing are nearing completion and that vessel and shipyard work is progressing.
Tillotson reported that a change order of about $293,000 was the only notable difference since the last meeting and that he expects the Pointe-a-la-Hache landing work to be complete "somewhere around the February" and "by the third week of this month," referencing final top sections and painting of dolphins. "We anticipate completing that project by the third week of this month," he said.
He said the Belle Chasse 2 emergency repairs are finished and the vessel should return to service after a Coast Guard quarterly inspection "sometime mid to, late next week." The Plaquemines Pride vessel is in the yard with expected return "by May of 2025," and Port Authority 1 and 2 are expected back "sometime late next month."
Tillotson told commissioners the port has received a preliminary design for a new diesel-electric Beale Ferry and will distribute the design to commissioners the following morning. He also said the water booster station is "almost ready to hand off to the parish," pending the parish bringing power to the station, and that phase 1 of a water line should be completed "early in the third quarter" with phase 2 likely in the fourth quarter of the year, including a connection to the Port Sulphur Water Plant.
Other operations and planning notes Tillotson said staff met with the Surface Transportation Board in Washington, D.C., regarding an 11-mile rail extension and that Infinity Engineering continues detailed engineering work expected to finish by year-end. There was no update on a planned container port land purchase.
On personnel, port staff reported selection of a legal assistant and ongoing recruitment and reclassification work for an assistant port manager and IT manager position. Tillotson also said a rebranding effort is in progress and that Ms. McNair is leading the department effort.
Public comment and local questions A public commenter who identified as Camelaine (address noted in the record) asked when the Plaquemines Pride vessel would return; Tillotson replied, "we're looking at May." Other residents raised concerns about temporary service capacity in Belle Chasse while the Pride is in the yard.
Ending Tillotson said staff will circulate the preliminary ferry design to commissioners and continue to update the commission as inspections and handoffs are completed.
