Supplied by the US Coast Guard…
SAULT SAINTE MARIE, Mich.- Due to excessive ice cover, the Neebish Island Ferry service is suspended.

The Neebish Island Ferry ceased scheduled operations on Friday morning due to significant ice buildup in the West Neebish Channel of the St. Marys River, also known as the Rock Cut. Last week’s wind events fractured most of the shore ice above the ferry crossing and sent it cascading down river. With the lower river still packed with ice, there is no place for this newly broken ice to go. Coast Guard ice breaking assets remain focused on clearing the ice but the forecast of sub-freezing temperatures and additional snow do not favor a quick resolution.

Capt. Marko Broz, Commander of Sector Sault Sainte Marie met with Pete Paramski, Director of EUPTA, to discuss the emergent needs of Neebish Island residents. Contingency plans addressed the use of local law enforcement assets, the dispatch of a Coast Guard helicopter, use of a privately owned airboat, and the deployment of a Coast Guard air boat team to manage exigent community service requests that may arise during the suspension of ferry service.

For more information contact LTJG Sean Murphy at (906) 635-3223 or sean.v.murphy@uscg.mil, or follow the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste Marie page on Facebook.