Neebish Island News

Burger Boat Delivers New Ferry to EUPTA in Michigan

Manitowoc, Wis. shipbuilder Burger Boat Company announced it has delivered a new car/passenger ferry vessel to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA), located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.The 92-foot U.S.-made steel ferry, Neebish Island III, will operate year-round on the St. Mary’s River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between Barbeau, Mich., and Neebish Island. The vesselwas designed by Seacraft Design, LLC of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

Burger Boat Awarded New Ferry Build

Manitowoc, Wis., shipbuilder Burger Boat Company announced it has begun work on a new vehicle and passenger ferry for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA), located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.Due to launch Summer 2022, the 92-foot steel ferry will operate year-round on the St. Mary’s River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between Barbeau, Mich., and Neebish Island. The ferry was designed to operate in the harsh winter environment and through the solid ice conditions it will encounter on its route.The ferry is designed by Seacraft Design, LLC of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

Icebreaking Kicks Off on the Great Lakes

It's that time of year.The US Coast Guard announced it has commenced icebreaking operations in response to expanded ice growth in the commercial ports of western Lake Superior.Operation Taconite, launched by Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie on Wednesday, is one of two icebreaking operations that support the Great Lakes. It encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, Green Bay, northern Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.The authority for Coast Guard domestic icebreaking was created in 1936, by Executive Order 7521 signed by President Franklin D.

Great Lakes Coal Carrier Aground

US Coast Guard responds to grounding of 1000-ft long freighter hard aground in downbound channel of St. Mary's River. The vessel is carrying approximately 62,000 tons of coal. The motor vessel Paul R. Tregurtha, owned by Interlake Shipping Company of Ohio, grounded on the west side of Neebish Island in the vicinity of what is commonly known as the “Rock Cut.” Initial reports indicate there is no resultant pollution and no injuries were reported, but there is some damage to the ship. The freighter’s stability is currently unaffected. The initial grounding occurred in way of the vessel’s bow but the ship pivoted and the stern became grounded as well. Currently, the vessel is hard aground at its bow and stern and the ship spans the width of the shipping channel. Coast Guard Station Sault Ste.