Port board delays executive director appointment after members request background checks; ferry MV Pride remains sidelined

The Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District board on June 11 deferred a planned appointment for an executive director and asked for third-party background checks before an offer is finalized, while port staff reported a mechanical and electrical failure that has sidelined the MB Pride ferry.

The board considered a resolution to name James Ethridge as executive director but several commissioners said they wanted independent background checks run on finalists before making a formal offer. "My preference would be do background checks on all three before we offer," Commissioner Schultz said, explaining he did not want to have to reverse an appointment if issues surfaced later. Other commissioners said they were sympathetic to the need for leadership and warned that continued delay stresses port staff.

Commissioners voted to defer the appointment and directed that a third-party background check be secured and completed before returning the matter for action.

Separately, port staff (through Mr. Lee and the port's marine operations team) reported the MV Pride is out of service for a drive/control issue linked to the bow-thruster system. Staff are searching for a replacement drive and, if unavailable, plan to propose replacing the thruster control system with a modernized unit to avoid repeated delays. While the Pride is under repair, the port extended ferry hours at Point LaHache and expects the Belchase 2 vessel to return following sea trials.

The staff report also detailed port-transportation projects: Point LaHache landing replacement (design underway), Belchase landing design and barge replacement, a Belchase security-dock procurement tied to FTA and port-security funding, and progress on the Peters Road bypass and vehicle-rail realignment projects. A series of bids and preliminary designs were scheduled over the coming months.

What happens next: the port will commission third-party background checks for executive-director finalists and will return the appointment to the board once checks are complete; port staff will report options and costs (repair drive replacement or control-system modernization) to restore the MV Pride to service and continue procurement for barges and landing repairs.