Drummond Island FerryAccess to Drummond Island has always been by boat, be it an ancient canoe, the modern ferry, or any of a host of boat possibilities utilized over the years. At times, it seems that the very pulse of the island is dictated by the Ferry Schedule and the flow of vehicles to and from the ferry boat docks. These boats and their crews have provided countless safe passages to residents and visitors alike across the DeTour Passage of the St. Mary’s River.
Your adventure begins with a one-mile ferry ride across the St. Mary's River. The ferry, capable of holding 36 cars, crosses the river hourly, bringing cars, passengers, trucks, and semi-trucks across to the Island. There are no advance ticket sales. Vehicles line up in DeTour, waiting to board the ferry. The round-trip ferry fare is collected by the deckhand once you are safely on board. Over 100,000 round-trip vehicle tickets and nearly 200,000 round-trip passenger tickets are purchased each year. The efforts and safety records of the boats and crews are a testament to the quality of service they provide. |
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While crossing the St. Mary’s River, remember that you are crossing one of the busiest waterways in the world.
The St. Mary’s River is an international waterway with over 4,500 cargo carriers passing Drummond Island annually!
The St. Mary’s River is an international waterway with over 4,500 cargo carriers passing Drummond Island annually!
Know before you go!
"LIKE" the Drummond Island Ferry Facebook page to get up-to-date information about service interruptions.
If the ferry shuts down for any reason, it will be posted here first.
"LIKE" the Drummond Island Ferry Facebook page to get up-to-date information about service interruptions.
If the ferry shuts down for any reason, it will be posted here first.
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For updates or delays by telephone, call (906) 632-1516 and press option 2
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2/7/25 - Captain James Geyer was interviewed by Fox Weather. Watch the full interview here.
Video courtesy of Dan Vaught
Yes, the ferry runs all year round. Temporary closures due to high winds and heavy ice occasionally occur. Here's a nice video that highlights a voyage in sub-zero temperatures.
Ferry Etiquette
- Plan ahead – It helps. First, check the schedule for the boat so you can plan your travel times. The schedule for each ferry is available http://www.eupta.net/ferry-system/
- Be nice – it’s the right thing to do. There IS a line leader. They are the ones who arrive at the ferry dock first. Line up behind the first person. Please do not cut. Please do not block side streets or driveways. Regular traffic needs to continue to flow.
- Waiting -Be aware that during busier times, such as summer, holiday, and special events there will be waits and line ups. Ferry traffic may exceed capacity and the ferry may or may not “run wild” – meaning making extra trips to pick-up vehicles that were in line, but simply could not fit onboard. Enjoy a good book, a good chat with a friend, take a look at the Facebook page, or simply enjoy the beautiful views, while you wait.
- Don’t Rush – You won’t get there any faster. When loading or unloading from the ferry please pay attention to the crew members and their directions. Rushing rarely accomplishes anything and may cause an accident.
- Stay in Your Car Until Counted -Please stay in your car until everyone has been counted and paid for. It takes time for the crew to account for everyone. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Please refrain them from running, climbing, jumping and rough housing on the ferry.
- No Smoking - EUPTA has a no smoking policy on the ferries at all times. This policy ensures the safety of all customers and employees. Hang up-Please put your cell phones away while loading and unloading. It is important to pay attention to the crew members for your safety and theirs.
- Be prepared – Have your payment or ticket ready and in hand. We prefer credit cards, but do accept cash and checks. You can purchase commuter tickets online www.eupta.net/ferry-system/ and tickets and commuter tickets are available from the crew. Please use lower denominations or correct amounts if you are able.
- Lights off at night – Please don’t blind the crew. The street/dock/ferry lights are all you will need to guide you onto the ferry. The lights only blind the crew and make it difficult for them to perform their job. It is also annoying to other vehicles.
- Don’t argue with the crew - Please remember, they are performing their job, they are there to help you, and they know what they are doing. It also takes up vital time and may put everyone behind. If you have a customer service issue, please wait 24 hours, see if it is still an issue, and call the EUPTA office. The staff is happy to help problem solve regarding ferry issues. Take time to smile, be kind, and wave as you unload.
Sit back and enjoy the ride and the beautiful views. You're on “Island Time.”
History of the Drummond Island Ferry
In a richly detailed history of the Drummond Island Ferries, Ferry Fare, (available at the Drummond Island Historical Museum), Paul Cross has documented these vessels. The information that follows is drawn from his work.
CLYDE - 36’ fantail launch owned by Daniel Murray Seaman and lost in a collision with a freighter in 1908. “Scheduled” mail, passenger, and freight service from Drummond to points in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
NAIDA – 40’ motor launch/light duty tug owned by D M. Seaman, (1908-1922), then by Floyd Seaman, (1922 – 1924), initially providing the same service as the Clyde. From 1915, was used to carry vehicles on the Drummond settlement – DeTour run. Began using the township dock on the channel after 1922 and retired in 1924.
DRUMMOND – 50’, similar to but heavier than the Naida. Built on Drummond Island by Philo Leonard, was specifically designed for carrying 2 to 3 automobiles, owned by J. S. Church and Earle Bailey. Lost to foreclosure in 1924 and later returned to channel service by Joe Krol to replace the Phillip after the fire.
PHILLIP – 64’ wooden schooner converted to coal-fired steam power carrying 4 to 5 automobiles. Owned by F, Seaman, l924-1930, then sold to J Krol. Burned in winter of 1930-1931.
WALLAN – 60’ wooden-hulled, diesel-powered, ice-breaking car ferry, built by Philo Leonard on Drummond of Drummond Island timber, specifically for the Drummond – DeTour run. Commissioned by Walter Pardridge and Landon Townsend, sold in 1943 to the Chippewa County Road Commission and renamed Sam C. Taylor. Operated as part of the county road system until 1947.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER – 59’ all steel, ice-breaking auto ferry commissioned by the county in 1947. Original capacity of 7 cars, powered by 120 horsepower, 12-cylinder Caterpillar marine engine. Lengthened to 80’, accommodating 10 cars, and repowered by a supercharged 6-cylinder Cummins in 1976. Deck space was enlarged in 1991 to accommodate 12 cars. Ferry service was taken over by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority under a Federal program in the mid-70s.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER II – 59’, twin-engined, 12-car capacity, commissioned in 1961. Steel hulled but without ice-breaking capacity. Removed from Drummond Island service in 1989. Subsequently re-assigned to Neebish Island service.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER III – 108’ with 37’ beam, twin engine with a 25 car capacity and ice-breaking capability. Delivered in November 1989 and is still in service.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER IV - 148’ with a 43’ beam, twin 960 horsepower Caterpillar diesels, 32 car capacity. Hull #108, built by Basic Marine, Inc. of Escanaba, MI, to a design by Timothy Graul Marine Design of Sturgeon Bay, WI. Delivered in November 2000.
Normally, a visitor’s first experience of Drummond Island is from the deck of a ferry boat. These ferries make for a rich and varied history of service to the island.
In a richly detailed history of the Drummond Island Ferries, Ferry Fare, (available at the Drummond Island Historical Museum), Paul Cross has documented these vessels. The information that follows is drawn from his work.
CLYDE - 36’ fantail launch owned by Daniel Murray Seaman and lost in a collision with a freighter in 1908. “Scheduled” mail, passenger, and freight service from Drummond to points in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
NAIDA – 40’ motor launch/light duty tug owned by D M. Seaman, (1908-1922), then by Floyd Seaman, (1922 – 1924), initially providing the same service as the Clyde. From 1915, was used to carry vehicles on the Drummond settlement – DeTour run. Began using the township dock on the channel after 1922 and retired in 1924.
DRUMMOND – 50’, similar to but heavier than the Naida. Built on Drummond Island by Philo Leonard, was specifically designed for carrying 2 to 3 automobiles, owned by J. S. Church and Earle Bailey. Lost to foreclosure in 1924 and later returned to channel service by Joe Krol to replace the Phillip after the fire.
PHILLIP – 64’ wooden schooner converted to coal-fired steam power carrying 4 to 5 automobiles. Owned by F, Seaman, l924-1930, then sold to J Krol. Burned in winter of 1930-1931.
WALLAN – 60’ wooden-hulled, diesel-powered, ice-breaking car ferry, built by Philo Leonard on Drummond of Drummond Island timber, specifically for the Drummond – DeTour run. Commissioned by Walter Pardridge and Landon Townsend, sold in 1943 to the Chippewa County Road Commission and renamed Sam C. Taylor. Operated as part of the county road system until 1947.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER – 59’ all steel, ice-breaking auto ferry commissioned by the county in 1947. Original capacity of 7 cars, powered by 120 horsepower, 12-cylinder Caterpillar marine engine. Lengthened to 80’, accommodating 10 cars, and repowered by a supercharged 6-cylinder Cummins in 1976. Deck space was enlarged in 1991 to accommodate 12 cars. Ferry service was taken over by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority under a Federal program in the mid-70s.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER II – 59’, twin-engined, 12-car capacity, commissioned in 1961. Steel hulled but without ice-breaking capacity. Removed from Drummond Island service in 1989. Subsequently re-assigned to Neebish Island service.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER III – 108’ with 37’ beam, twin engine with a 25 car capacity and ice-breaking capability. Delivered in November 1989 and is still in service.
DRUMMOND ISLANDER IV - 148’ with a 43’ beam, twin 960 horsepower Caterpillar diesels, 32 car capacity. Hull #108, built by Basic Marine, Inc. of Escanaba, MI, to a design by Timothy Graul Marine Design of Sturgeon Bay, WI. Delivered in November 2000.
Normally, a visitor’s first experience of Drummond Island is from the deck of a ferry boat. These ferries make for a rich and varied history of service to the island.
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