Burger Boat Co., Manitowoc, Wis., delivered a new car/passenger ferry vessel to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority (EUPTA), Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The 92'x33' Neebish Islander III entered service in November.
The 92'x33' 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 was designed by Seacraft Design LLC, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Vessel specifications:
LOA: 92'
Beam: 33'
Draft: 6'2"
Year: 2022
Type: Car/passenger vessel
Displacement: 170 long ton (173 metric ton)
Hailing Port: Neebish Island, Mich.
Builder: Burger Boat Company
Naval Architect: Seacraft Design
Construction: Steel
Hull Configuration: Full Displacement
Classification: USCG 46 CFR, Subchapter T
Speed: 10 knots (max)
Main Engines: (2) Caterpillar C18, 600 HP
Fuel Capacity: 1,500 gals.
Shafts: 5”-dia. Aquamet 22
Propellers: Kahlenberg 4-bladed stainless steel
Steering: Jastram controlling independent rudders, one each forward and aft
The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority, established in 1975, operates three local vehicle and passenger ferries to the nearby islands of Sugar, Neebish and Drummond.
