41°

It is also not certified to run after dark, and we all know that is most of the time in the winter. It has already lost an engine after only three months of service. The expected life of the Fairweather is only about 10 years - the Taku is more than 40 years old and in good enough shape to last another 20. The main reason this administration wants fast ferries is because they only require a quarter of the employees. What they think they are saving in wages and health care benefits they're spending in fuel. So, instead of the money going back into the local economy in the form of groceries, rent, taxes, etc., from wages, it's all going up in smoke - or into the pockets of the "good 'ole boys" in the oil business.

This administration is so intent on the Alaska Marine Highway System needing to pay for itself (while no other highway system is expected to) that they are purposely arranging the schedule so that it doesn't make money. The Taku was doing well last summer with the Golden Circle traffic from Haines to Skagway. Now, that has been eliminated because the Fairweather can't do that connection and still make their "fast" schedule. The Taku has also spent entire days tied up at the dock because they took over the LeConte schedule and don't have the stern ramp that makes it possible to go into Pelican and Angoon.

One has to ask who was responsible for making these decisions.

Sandra Wardlow

Juneau