The Columbia will make voyages between Bellingham and major Alaska ports from October to mid-November before the Kennicott takes over the route for three weeks per month, swapping to service the Prince Rupert route for one week spanning from mid-November to early March.
That’s according to the Alaska Marine Highway System’s proposed winter schedule now available for public review, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced Thursday afternoon.
The public has the opportunity to submit written comments and special requests about the draft schedule spanning Oct. 1 to April 30 to the DOT&PF. The comment period is currently open and runs until July 12. AMHS will hold a public meeting for the Southeast Alaska region on Zoom at 10 a.m. July 13. The meeting can also be attended in person at the AMHS office in Ketchikan.
According to Sam Dapcevich, spokesperson for the DOT&PF, users should expect “no dramatic changes and nothing super noteworthy — if anything it’s a little better than last winter.”
The LeConte is scheduled to stop at Northern Panhandle ports from October to November before entering into overhaul come December through mid-March, with the Hubbard taking over the sailings during that period.
More about the planned schedule can be viewed online at https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/winter_considerations_2023.pdf. Comments will be accepted through July 12, and can also be sent via email to dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov and faxed to 907-228-6873.
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.
