A new ferryboat is in operation for the Cameron Crossing in Cameron Parish. Department of Transportation Secretary Glenn Ledet says the Holly Beach ferryboat will replace the Cameron II, which has been in service since 1964.
“The challenges with maintaining an old ferry start to accumulate, so you’ve got downtime. The detour, if the ferry goes down, is 100 miles,” Ledet said.
The Cameron Crossing is not getting just one ferryboat, it’s getting two. The second ferry boat is expected to be completed in late November.
Each boat will measure 190 feet, by 50 feet, by 13 feet. Ledet says putting these new boats in service will ensure uninterrupted loading and unloading of commercial vehicles across the Calcasieu Ship Channel.
“With LNG and energy that’s being invested heavily in that region, we’ve got employees, workers and the community itself that uses that facility extremely often,” Ledet explained.
About 800 vehicles a day depend on this ferry service across the Calcasieu Ship Channel.
Nearly $50 million was invested in these new ferries, which will ensure safe evacuations from hurricanes. DOTD says they will also lower greenhouse gas emissions by using battery-powered electric thrusters charged by diesel generators on board.
Ledet says a private company will also handle operation, which will be good for DOTD.
“We, obviously, specialize in roads and bridges; but having to operate a ferry has been a challenge for a long time,” Ledet noted.
Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors in Houma built the ferries.