On April 1, the hull of the Neebish Islander III was rolled over so the next phase of construction at Burger Boat Co., Manitowoc, Wis., could proceed. The 92'x33' passenger/vehicle ferry will be servicing traffic to and from Neebish Island in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The new Coast Guard Subchapter T Neebish Islander III will have a 7'4" draft.
"We are thrilled with the Burger team and their progress on the Neebish Islander III,” Pete Paramski, executive director, Eastern Upper Peninsula Transit Authority, said in a prepared statement. “It was exciting to watch the rollover of the hull and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Burger.”
Designed by Seacraft Design LLC, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the U.S.-made 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.
Main propulsion will come from a pair of Tier 3 Caterpillar C18 diesel engines, producing 600 hp at 1,800 rpm each. The propulsion package will give the ferry a running speed of approximately 10 knots with a full load. Fuel capacity is 1,500 gals.
“Based on the experience of four previous commercial vessel designs built by this shipyard, we know that EUPTA will receive a first-class product from Burger Boat Company, and we look forward to collaborating once again,” said Mark Pudlo, president, Seacraft Design.
Burger did not release the number of passengers and vehicles the new ferry can accommodate.
