EUPTA advances Drummond Islander V design as ice and a fuel disruption strain ferry service
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Summary
The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority advertised an RFQ for design of a new Drummond Island ferry and reported ongoing ice-related disruptions and a brief fuel interruption on Sugar Island; directors said funding is secured and the new vessel will add capacity and redundancy.
The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority on April 8 said it has advertised a request for qualifications to design a new ferry, the Drummond Islander V, as the agency copes with ice-related service disruptions and a temporary fuel shortage.
Director Paramski told the board that the RFQ for naval architects is open and proposals are due April 24; he said funding for the new vessel has been secured after nearly nine years of work and that design and construction would each take about a year. The new vessel is intended to ensure two boats are available at Drummond Island during peak season and to serve as a swing backup for other crossings, reducing line-ups and operational vulnerability, Paramski said.
Why it matters: EUPTA’s ferry routes connect island communities that have limited alternatives. Winter ice and weather can interrupt service, creating safety and access concerns for residents and emergency services. A new vessel would increase resilience and reduce passenger backups during busy periods.
Board discussion and operational context: Paramski said the U.S. Coast Guard’s director of vessel traffic, Justin Bravatto, warned that "we are not out of the woods yet with the ice situation in the river," and he praised EUPTA crews for their communication with USCG, Chippewa County Central Dispatch and island communities. Paramski noted one missed Neebish run on April 6 at 9:00 a.m. and said the USCG may stage an icebreaker in the lower river if conditions require it.
The board also heard that drydock specifications for the Drummond Islander III have been drafted and that a sole-source bidding process will be used to secure a shipyard to complete the listed tasks, subject to approval from Lansing. Paramski and Finance Director Ms. Gordon are also completing the National Ferry Boat Census required by the federal ferry program, which helps determine federal fund distribution.
Fuel interruption: Paramski recounted a fuel supply disruption at Sugar Island during a day when the Mackinac Bridge was closed. The agency temporarily reduced runs and arranged alternate fuel delivery from Autore Oil so the Sugar Islander could resume regular service; he said the Sugar Islander is typically fueled about once every two weeks.
What happens next: The RFQ responses for Drummond Islander V are due April 24. If a design contract is selected and the timeline holds, Paramski estimated roughly one year for design followed by about one year for construction.