Ferry service to Neebish Island remains hampered by ice

NEWS RELEASE
U.S. COAST GUARD
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SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MICH. - Neebish Island residents are still without ferry service. Coast Guard ice breaking assets are steadfast in their effort to clear the ice jam down river but conditions have only gotten worse since the ferry service was first halted.

Scheduled ferry service to Neebish Island was suspended April 2, 2018 due to excessive ice cover. The ferry has not operated since the previous Friday morning, leaving the island community without ferry service for 10 days.

Strong northwesterly winds and abnormally cold temperatures have plagued Coast Guard efforts to restore ferry service.    

EUP Transit Authority and Coast Guard officials revisit the emergent needs of Neebish Island residents several times a day. 

Contingency plans include the dispatch of a Coast Guard helicopter, use of a privately owned airboat, and the Coast Guard air boat team, deployed to the scene from Saginaw, MI, to manage exigent community service requests during the suspension of ferry service. 

Island residents who need supplies should contact Mr Jamie Pringle, Captain of the Neebish Island Ferry.  Mr Pringle is the Coast Guard’s liaison to Neebish Island.  Calls for medical emergencies should be placed to 911.   

For more information contact LTJG Sean Murphy at (906) 635-3223 or [email protected], or follow the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste Marie page on Facebook.

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