Emerald Isle- what really happened?
Moderator: Gillespie
Emerald Isle- what really happened?
A quick trip to town this morning gave me no less than 3 unsolicited rumored causes of the recent problem with the boat. I guess you could call them sea storie.Some were more unpleasant than others. Could someone from BIBCO respond with the real explanation? It's important to islanders and tourists alike. Thanks. Tom Kludt
Time is needed
It is my opinion that the BIBCO and the BITA are doing a wonderful job of reporting facts. It's simply a matter of giving them time to gather the information and put it into an intelligent format. Rumors don't help anything. There is an interview on facebook and on News on the 'Net with the BITA director, which explains the process. The BIBCO have posted on their website a very busy schedule to make up for the engine problem of the Emerald Isle.
We will be gathering information over the weekend, and hope to have another interview early next week after the facts have been determined and the plan been formed into a reasonable factual solution.
Joe Moore
We will be gathering information over the weekend, and hope to have another interview early next week after the facts have been determined and the plan been formed into a reasonable factual solution.
Joe Moore
Don't know how these things get started. 
Information released tonight
The following news release was posted on News on the 'Net an hour ago:
June 28, 2013
Beaver Island, MI - The Beaver Island Boat Companyâ??s (BIBCO) ferry, Emerald Isle, experienced an engine malfunction on its 5:20pm departure from Beaver Island to Charlevoix on June 25, 2013. It returned to the Island that evening under its own power. Their secondary vessel, the Beaver Islander, was used to transfer passengers and all vehicles that could fit on the vessel to Charlevoix.
The current assessment done by our BIBCO engineers, CAT engineers and the USCG is that the Emerald Isle experienced a main engine parts failure. The engine is being removed in order to make the necessary repairs. No completion date can be given at this time.
While BIBCOâ??s main ferry the Emerald Isle is being repaired, they will be utilizing their secondary vessel the Beaver Islander. Due to the Beaver Islanderâ??s reduced capacity, BIBCO has had to change their scheduled departure times as well as move some vehicle reservations in order to ensure the least amount of people are affected by the service interruption of the Emerald Isle.
BIBCO has currently made changes to their schedule up to Sunday June 30 and will continue to update the schedule on a day-by-day basis. Please continue to check their website for the most up-to-date information. We are experiencing heavy call volumes, please check the website prior to calling the office for updates.
BIBCO is asking that passengers, especially with vehicle reservations, please take note of the Beaver Islanderâ??s vehicle restrictions. The main height of the vesselâ??s cargo area is 6 feet 4 inches. BIBCO is asking that vehicles try to avoid traveling with car top carriers and other items on top of your vehicle. Also, if you have a vehicle above 6â??4â? in height, please try to bring a smaller vehicle if you are able to do so, as it will be difficult for them to guarantee passage of vehicles taller than 6â??4â?. Trailers will be taken on a case-by-case basis and may need to be unloaded as water levels make it very difficult to load and unload trailers.
A partnership with St. James Marineâ??s barge is in place, and BIBCO will be sending some vehicles to and from the island on the barge. Currently, the barge is scheduled to depart tomorrow, June 29, at 8 AM from Beaver Island and again at 5 PM from Charlevoix. The travel time of the barge is approximately 4 hours and they cannot take passengers.
All of the BIBCO staff and crew would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. We fully understand the inconvenience this may cause to you and your travel plans. Our main priority is the safety of our passengers and vessels and we will continue to work as diligently as we can to return to our normal operations as soon as we are able.
Joe Moore, editor
http://beaverislandnews.com
June 28, 2013
Beaver Island, MI - The Beaver Island Boat Companyâ??s (BIBCO) ferry, Emerald Isle, experienced an engine malfunction on its 5:20pm departure from Beaver Island to Charlevoix on June 25, 2013. It returned to the Island that evening under its own power. Their secondary vessel, the Beaver Islander, was used to transfer passengers and all vehicles that could fit on the vessel to Charlevoix.
The current assessment done by our BIBCO engineers, CAT engineers and the USCG is that the Emerald Isle experienced a main engine parts failure. The engine is being removed in order to make the necessary repairs. No completion date can be given at this time.
While BIBCOâ??s main ferry the Emerald Isle is being repaired, they will be utilizing their secondary vessel the Beaver Islander. Due to the Beaver Islanderâ??s reduced capacity, BIBCO has had to change their scheduled departure times as well as move some vehicle reservations in order to ensure the least amount of people are affected by the service interruption of the Emerald Isle.
BIBCO has currently made changes to their schedule up to Sunday June 30 and will continue to update the schedule on a day-by-day basis. Please continue to check their website for the most up-to-date information. We are experiencing heavy call volumes, please check the website prior to calling the office for updates.
BIBCO is asking that passengers, especially with vehicle reservations, please take note of the Beaver Islanderâ??s vehicle restrictions. The main height of the vesselâ??s cargo area is 6 feet 4 inches. BIBCO is asking that vehicles try to avoid traveling with car top carriers and other items on top of your vehicle. Also, if you have a vehicle above 6â??4â? in height, please try to bring a smaller vehicle if you are able to do so, as it will be difficult for them to guarantee passage of vehicles taller than 6â??4â?. Trailers will be taken on a case-by-case basis and may need to be unloaded as water levels make it very difficult to load and unload trailers.
A partnership with St. James Marineâ??s barge is in place, and BIBCO will be sending some vehicles to and from the island on the barge. Currently, the barge is scheduled to depart tomorrow, June 29, at 8 AM from Beaver Island and again at 5 PM from Charlevoix. The travel time of the barge is approximately 4 hours and they cannot take passengers.
All of the BIBCO staff and crew would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. We fully understand the inconvenience this may cause to you and your travel plans. Our main priority is the safety of our passengers and vessels and we will continue to work as diligently as we can to return to our normal operations as soon as we are able.
Joe Moore, editor
http://beaverislandnews.com