Regular ferry service to Neebish Island is scheduled to stop Wednesday, Nov. 4, when the vessel heads to Sault Ste. Marie for drydock repairs, weather permitting.

The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority announced the shutdown in an Oct. 28 news release. The ferry will travel to M.C.M. Marine in Sault Ste. Marie early on Nov. 4 and remain in drydock for approximately two days, weather permitting. EUPTA said it anticipates the ferry will return to service sometime Friday, Nov. 6.

No ferry runs will operate during the shutdown. The authority described the service interruption as lasting "two to three" days.

EUPTA said it has coordinated with Chippewa County Central Dispatch and the Sheriff's Office to provide emergency transportation if needed during the closure.

Residents told to stock up

The authority urged island residents and property owners to prepare before the ferry departs. It recommended obtaining groceries, household necessities, prescription medicines and heating fuel, and making arrangements for work and other essential obligations.

Residents have been on limited service since Oct. 20. The drydock will eliminate regular runs entirely. On Oct. 20, the ferry suffered a sheared rudder shaft and lost one of its two rudders during an incident while the vessel was operating in dense fog, according to a separate EUPTA release published by the SooLeader. The U.S. Coast Guard granted permission for the vessel to operate on one rudder under strict conditions, including daylight-only runs, a maximum of eight vehicles per trip, no trailers and favorable-weather-only operation.

EUPTA's revised limited-service notice lists scheduled runs at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., with runs continuing until traffic clears, subject to safe conditions.

The notice cautions that the times need to be revisited near the Nov. 1 time change. Riders should check the current service updates before traveling.

The EUPTA release did not specify whether the drydock work is tied to the Oct. 20 rudder damage or includes additional maintenance.

Weather could shift the timeline

EUPTA cautioned that the schedule depends on weather. If conditions are not safe for travel on Nov. 4, the notice says the dates will move to the following day.

Residents can check for updates on the Neebish Island Ferry Facebook page or call the EUPTA delays and cancellations phone line at 906-632-1516.