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Director reports ice event, navigational upgrades and equipment fixes for island ferries
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Summary
Authority Director Paramski told the board a semi-major ice event at Sugar Island prompted a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker response; the authority has upgraded navigational equipment across ferries with local funds, is planning drydock work for Drummond Islander III, and is exploring Starlink to resolve a broken camera antenna on Sugar Island ferry.
Director Paramski briefed the board Feb. 4 on recent operational issues and equipment upgrades for the authority's ferry services.
Ice event and response: Paramski said the authority experienced its first semi-major ice event at Sugar Island since 2018 after large amounts of brash moved downriver. "We had great communication with USCG and they sent the ice breaker to clean up the ice the next day," he said. Paramski told trustees no service delays resulted and that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the contractor at the locks identified construction and moving equipment at the locks as the likely cause, then made operational changes to prevent a recurrence.
Equipment upgrades and safety: Yacht Solutions installed new navigational equipment on the Sugar Island ferry; Trustees were told the Drummond Islander IV received the same system last year and the Drummond Islander III will be upgraded in drydock this spring. Paramski said the purchases were made with 100% local funds and intended to standardize equipment across vessels so crews can operate consistently and safely.
Operational technology and staffing: Paramski reported the Sugar Island ferry's camera antenna is broken (footage remains accessible) and the authority is exploring Starlink to improve vessel and island-side connectivity. A deckhand is on medical leave and a part-time employee will cover a four-week period; part-time captain John Sovey is expected to be able to captain independently soon. Mechanics plan to buy a snowblower for Neebish crew and staff are preparing an RFQ for a naval architect to support drydock specifications for Drummond Islander III.
Emergency assistance: Paramski also said the authority took a call to assist in moving residents from the Wood Creek complex during an active shooter evacuation; the minutes note the call but do not specify the exact assistance provided.
What happens next: Drydock planning and RFQ activity will continue this spring; the board noted the equipment standardization and connectivity work are intended to improve safety and operational resilience.