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Cameron Parish hears update on two new ferry vessels; delivery expected late 2025
Summary
Parish jurors received a DOTD-linked project update on two new Cameron Ferry passenger vessels—about $50 million for two identical ferries, boat one ~55% complete, boat two ~45%, with first delivery expected September 2025 and the second around January 2026. Crew recruitment and apron repairs remain priorities.
A presenter at the Cameron Parish Police Jury’s Monday morning session gave a status update on the Cameron Ferry vessel project (project HDot010037), saying two identical passenger-carrying ferries are under construction and will be designed to meet applicable Coast Guard rules.
The presenter said, “This project will design and construct 2 new identical passenger carrying ferry vessels,” each approximately 190 feet long and 50 feet wide and capable of carrying at least 32 automobiles and 6 semi trucks. Assembly for the vessels began in 2022; boat one’s construction is about 55% complete and boat two’s about 45% complete.
Why it matters: the two-vessel program is a large infrastructure effort for the state agency named in the presentation and is intended to reduce ferry downtime by allowing one vessel to be maintained while the other operates. The update included schedule milestones and work the parish will need to complete before the ferries enter regular service.
Key details from the update: the presenter said the next major milestone is a spring launch, contingent on dredging and a shipyard permit that the parish is coordinating with the Army Corps engineers. The first vessel is anticipated for delivery to Cameron Parish in September 2025; after Coast Guard inspections and crew training, it is expected to enter service late in 2025. The second vessel is expected in January 2026 and will serve as a backup after its own inspections and training period.
The presenter described apron and fender modifications required because the new hull design differs from the existing Cameron 2 ferry. CDC, Inc., out of Lafayette, was named as the contractor for the apron and fender work, with contracts being finalized and work expected to start in February while Cameron 2 is in dry dock. Cameron 2’s dry-dock period was extended after inspections and is not expected back until roughly June or July.
Jurors pressed on crew levels and operations. When asked whether the new vessels would come with captains, the presenter said they would not; the parish will need to recruit and train additional crew. The presenter explained the parish plans to keep at least one crew member on a vessel that is not operating so it can be readied quickly, and noted salaries and staffing are a challenge.
The meeting closed the update by noting ongoing monthly coordination between the project team, headquarters and ferry operations, and invited jurors to attend the planned launch ceremony when timing is finalized.
Next steps: the parish and project team will continue permitting work (including dredging coordination with the Army Corps) and run training and Coast Guard inspections before placing the first vessel into service.
