Alaska Marine Highway

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry LeConte at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Update: Public comment period extended on proposed Cascade Point ferry terminal

The $28 million first phase would extend Glacier Highway and prepare the site on Goldbelt land.

 

Google Maps screenshot The star shows the approximate location of the proposed Cascade Point Ferry terminal by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in partnership with Goldbelt, Inc.

My Turn: Cascade Point terminal would not be efficient

I have enjoyed traveling on the Alaska State Ferries over the years and hope we can continue them in an efficient and reliable manner. The… Continue reading

 

Three Alaska Marine Highway System ferries are docked at its headquarters in Ketchikan as the Columbia arrives on July 16. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Juneau needs new ferry terminal like it needs a hole in a boat

What’s the rush to spend money designing a project that may never get built — that shouldn’t get built

 

In this June 23, 2016, photo, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

More competitive wages will shore up AMHS workforce

The Alaska Marine Highway System provides transportation along thousands of miles of coastline, directly serving more than 30 communities from Bellingham, Washington, to Dutch Harbor… Continue reading

In this June 23, 2016, photo, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The M/V Hubbard leaves Juneau on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

AMHS ferry engineers secure wage increase to address workforce shortage

Contract aims to attract and retain marine engineers in Alaska

The M/V Hubbard leaves Juneau on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Paul Myers takes a business phone call while stopped in Haines on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Staying connected on the Columbia

The fastest and largest vessel in the fleet is testing public Wi-Fi

Paul Myers takes a business phone call while stopped in Haines on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A ferry worker ties up the Hubbard on Sunday, April 21, 2024, as it docks in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney / Chilkat Valley News)

Weekend ferry cancellation complicates travel for bike relay, solstice

A ferry cancellation will affect travel plans for some participants of the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay. The annual bike relay sees hundreds of people… Continue reading

A ferry worker ties up the Hubbard on Sunday, April 21, 2024, as it docks in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney / Chilkat Valley News)
The Matanuska state ferry, seen here docked when it was scheduled to begin its annual winter overhaul in October of 2022, has been out of service ever since. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

Advisory board recommends ending Matanuska’s career with state ferry system

Full-body scan finds extensive rust and other faults officials say are too costly to fix.

The Matanuska state ferry, seen here docked when it was scheduled to begin its annual winter overhaul in October of 2022, has been out of service ever since. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
Josh Chevalier, chief engineer of the MV Columbia, shows legislators the engine control room, and explains the control and monitoring systems on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

‘Out of sight, out of mind’: Engineers are the ones who keep state ferries moving

Challenges of workforce recruitment and retention persist in globally competitive maritime industry.

Josh Chevalier, chief engineer of the MV Columbia, shows legislators the engine control room, and explains the control and monitoring systems on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Columbia state ferry docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on March 4. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)

Alaska Marine Highway’s long-range plan met with skepticism and concerns

Residents decry loss of service, Murkowski says “once-in-a-generation” funding opportunity in peril.

The Columbia state ferry docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on March 4. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
Passengers aboard an Alaska Marine Highway System vessel are seen on the cover of a draft 20-year plan for the ferry system released Friday. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

20-year plan for Alaska Marine Highway envisions better service, if government provides more money

Draft long-term plan calls for six new ships in eight-ship fleet; public comments open until March 30.

Passengers aboard an Alaska Marine Highway System vessel are seen on the cover of a draft 20-year plan for the ferry system released Friday. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Daniel Nichols, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, presents results from the organization’s Infrastructure Report Card for Alaska during a presentation Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska improves slightly to a C on Infrastructure Report Card, state ferries still at bottom with a D

Authors say Biden-era funding bills a key reason for improvement, ponder impact of Trump’s cuts.

Daniel Nichols, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, presents results from the organization’s Infrastructure Report Card for Alaska during a presentation Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Hubbard and LeConte state ferries. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)

Ailing state ferry system with 24% employee vacancy rate facing government cuts and freezes

Trump may yank funds for vessel upgrades; lawsuit says governor is trying to cut state worker pay.

The Hubbard and LeConte state ferries. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)
The Columbia state ferry is the first to provide Wi-Fi service to passengers. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)

AMHS debuts passenger Wi-Fi aboard Columbia, releases schedule for next summer

No cross-Gulf sailings planned until at least 2027 due to ongoing maintenance issues, officials say.

The Columbia state ferry is the first to provide Wi-Fi service to passengers. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo The Hubbard state ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Auke Bay on Monday, June 26.

Break in Kake’s ferry dock mooring fouls Thanksgiving plans for dozens of people stranded in Juneau

Ship loaded with vehicles and food forced back to Juneau after wind damage to village’s dock Saturday.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo The Hubbard state ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Auke Bay on Monday, June 26.
The Columbia is scheduled to replace the Kennicott on the mainline ferry route between Southeast Alaska and Bellingham, Washington, starting in mid-December. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)

Proposed summer ferry schedule for 2025 remains much the same, with Columbia replacing Kennicott

Public comments being accepted until Nov. 12, with virtual meetings scheduled that day.

The Columbia is scheduled to replace the Kennicott on the mainline ferry route between Southeast Alaska and Bellingham, Washington, starting in mid-December. (Alaska Marine Highway System photo)
(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

My Turn: Time to revisit long-ago captain’s vision of ferry system with smaller, affordable day vessels

In the early 1950s, renowned Captain GD Gitkov commanded Alaska’s ferry system, serving as both skipper and operator. As traffic and demand increased, Gitkov offered… Continue reading

(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Taxpayers need to make informed decisions about how Alaska Marine Highway funds are spent

Recently I read about a $177 million award to the Alaska Marine Highway and feel compelled to comment on the news because it’s imperative the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Rows of pilings in Portland Canal stretch across the water near the shoreline in Hyder. The commentary author would like to see a new ferry terminal built on the canal. (Richard Jackson/Getty Images Plus)

Opinion: Southern Southeast Alaska’s lack of ferry connection to British Columbia has a solution — Hyder

Since Alaska apparently cannot agree to a deal with Prince Rupert as a ferry destination, I suggest we go to Hyder, Alaska, as a destination.… Continue reading

Rows of pilings in Portland Canal stretch across the water near the shoreline in Hyder. The commentary author would like to see a new ferry terminal built on the canal. (Richard Jackson/Getty Images Plus)
The LeConte state ferry departs Juneau on Tuesday afternoon, bound for Haines on a special round-trip following two cancelled sailings due to a mechanical problem. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

LeConte returns to service with special trip to Haines after weekend cancellation

State ferry will pick up half of nearly 60 stranded vehicles, others may have to wait until July.

The LeConte state ferry departs Juneau on Tuesday afternoon, bound for Haines on a special round-trip following two cancelled sailings due to a mechanical problem. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)