After years of weathering rough seas, crossing the Gulf of Alaska to connect Kodiak residents and those in the Aleutians to the rest of the state, the Tustumena bears four pencil-thin cracks in her steel hull.
The beloved Trusty Tusty (called the Rusty Tusty by some) was recently deemed safe to sail, but her days in service remain numbered due to the stress she has endured over her 53 years.
We fear, without change, the same could be said of the Alaska Marine Highway System. It too has cracks and is under stress due to the state’s financial crisis and budget cuts.
We think the state-run Alaska Marine Highway System can weather the storm, but in order to do so it needs to make some changes.
The Empire welcomes the idea that AMHS become a state-backed corporation, semi-independent of government, similar to how the Alaska Railroad is run. It’s an idea that was presented to the state’s Marine Transportation Advisory Board this week, and was recommended by Elliott Bay Design Group, hired to create a report commissioned by Southeast Conference.
The idea is attractive because it could remove unnecessary layers of bureaucracy that prevent effective, efficient management of AMHS, and allow it to operate more like a business.
For instance, the proposal allows AMHS to negotiate directly with unions and employees, rather than working through other state agencies. And by remaining state-owned, the ferry system can still receive federal funding for transportation.
The Marine Highway likely won’t ever be a money-maker for Alaska; state and federal subsidizing will always be necessary to a degree. The course AMHS is on, however, will only lead to higher fares and fewer routes if the past few years has told us anything. Also, there are many in the Legislature who value concrete roads more than Southeast’s floating road system. When it comes to funneling money toward infrastructure improvements, these preferences are noticeable.
Whatever idea is put forth, something must to be done. As is, ferry service isn’t what it used to be, and it’s only getting worse as the fleet continues aging. The two new Alaska class ferries will be a welcome addition, but they will merely replace aging vessels like the Taku, currently drydocked and which will be sold, and perhaps the Chenega, whose future status is in limbo. Other vessels in the fleet have proven to be unreliable in recent years.
It’s time to reassess what we have, and how to save it. Maybe we bought the wrong boats for what is needed for service in Southeast. Maybe we bought a five-lane highway when we only needed a two lane. Maybe we don’t need all those additional amenities, like a full-service cafeteria and bunkrooms for daytrips between Southeast communities.
The ferry system is the lifeblood of Southeast, and its importance cannot be overstated. It’s one of the only ways for us to travel to our neighboring communities, to see friends and family, to travel for work and recreation, and to see Alaska.
Perhaps turning AMHS into a state-backed corporation isn’t the answer. We’ll never know unless the idea is vetted and discussed. We welcome other ideas as well. What we know for sure is that it’s time to consider a new map and course of action. Watching AMHS’ budget grow smaller each year isn’t a solution; it’s the result of not having one.
