EUPTA director outlines Drummond V design plans, Drummond III progress and ferry safety concerns

Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority Director Pete Paramski told the board on Nov. 4 that Seacraft Design, led by Mark Pudlo, will prepare a conceptual design for the authority's Drummond V ferry, with a formal pre-scoping meeting scheduled for Nov. 25 to gather input from staff and mechanics.

Paramski said the new ferry's width must accommodate existing docks at all three island landings and that the Seacraft team will produce a wish list and conceptual designs following the meeting. He identified Mr. Pudlo as the lead designer; Mr. Pudlo has previously designed the Neebish III.

Paramski also reported that Drummond III is nearing completion at the MCM shipyard but needs appropriate painting weather and three days to cure a non-skid deck surface before the vessel can complete repairs and undergo its annual U.S. Coast Guard inspection.

On operations, Paramski told the board that changes in part-time employee rules under an ESTA law that took effect in February have increased leave balances and that the authority lacks some backup staffing coverage. He said the issue has raised sick and annual-leave expenses. He also flagged electric-vehicle fire response as an ongoing safety topic and described that land-based firefighting differs from marine firefighting; he noted training and equipment considerations after presentations at a recent industry conference.

The board did not take a vote on procurement or design selection at the meeting; the pre-scoping session on Nov. 25 will be the next formal step in developing design recommendations.