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Port director and staff outline ferry repairs, vessel maintenance and permitting delays
Summary
Port staff reported emergency repairs at the Pointe Lehash landing, ongoing Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers reviews for vessel and riprap approvals, and an overhaul schedule for the vessel Pride while contingency plans are used to keep ferry service running.
Port staff and consultants gave a detailed operational update focused on ferry landings and vessels, saying safety‑focused change orders are underway but that final work depends on federal approvals.
Executive Director Tillson and operations lead Jalen Brown told commissioners the Pointe Lehash Ferry landing work included riprap placed to address slope issues; staff are awaiting formal approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before proceeding with remaining repair steps. Tillson said the riprap has been in place for more than a month and the port is seeking a decision before Christmas so the project can remain on schedule.
Brown described the change order under consideration as chiefly safety oriented and said the port is working with DOTD on a design–bid–build delivery method; he added that contracting services work is ongoing and that the port expects a procurement update the week after Christmas.
On vessels, staff reported that MV Belle Chasse 2 underwent an inspection that resulted in a Coast Guard request for a fix‑it plan; the port submitted the plan on Monday at 7:30 a.m. and awaits the Coast Guard’s response. Brown said the issues identified are primarily age and corrosion‑related and do not currently create public safety hazards.
The vessel Pride is undergoing an approximately six‑month overhaul at Thomas Marine to address engines, steel work and thrusters; port staff said Authority 1 and Authority 2 vessels are expected to return to service by February. The port is also exploring a new ferry design targeting roughly 50‑car capacity so future fleet decisions maintain service levels and vehicle capacity.
Public comment: resident Clarence Brock asked which ferries will serve which landings and whether repaired landings will accept larger vessels. Staff replied that repaired landings should be interchangeable for the Belle Chasse 2 and the Point L’Haz ferry, but that the Pride will not fit on one of the repaired landings.
What to watch: Corps of Engineers approval of the riprap placement and the Coast Guard’s response to the Belle Chasse 2 fix‑it plan, both of which staff said will determine the pace of repairs and vessel redeployment.
Quotes
"This is all for safety," said Jalen Brown describing the change order for the Pointe Lehash Ferry landing.
"We submitted a fix‑it plan as of Monday morning at 07:30AM," Brown said regarding the Coast Guard inspection of Belle Chasse 2.
Ending
Staff told commissioners they will continue to press permitting agencies and to provide procurement and schedule updates in the coming weeks; the board asked staff to seek Corps approval before the holiday deadline mentioned on the record.
