KETCHIKAN — An independent ferry serving communities in southeast Alaska is struggling to come up with the funds to continue its service, and the operators are working with federal managers to figure out next steps.
The Ketchikan Daily News reported the North End Ferry Authority’s Rainforest Islands Ferry service is currently on hold as the vessel gets repaired. The authority’s interim general manager, Robert Baker, says even if the ferry does get fixed, there will still be problems with getting it back into operation due to funding issues.
The authority is figuring out the future of the ferry with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which funded its launch with a $3 million loan in 2011 that they’ve yet to pay back.
The service operates between Coffman Cove, Wrangell and Petersburg.
