Alaska Marine Highway

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Columbia is seen in drydock on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 in Ketchikan. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Opinion: Overhauling the federal Jones Act would benefit Alaska, including the Marine Highway System

Antiquated or obsolete laws can be amusing; I recently learned that an obscure medieval law provides the right to drive sheep across London Bridge. Fortunately,… Continue reading

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Columbia is seen in drydock on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 in Ketchikan. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The LeConte state ferry in 2023. (Lex Treinen / Chilkat Valley News)

Stranded Beerfest travelers scramble to rebook after LeConte ferry breakdown

Loss of 225-passenger ferry leaves many Juneau-bound revelers looking for other ways home.

The LeConte state ferry in 2023. (Lex Treinen / Chilkat Valley News)
The Columbia state ferry sails through Lynn Canal on Monday, April 29, 2019. (Alex McCarthy / Juneau Empire file photo)

Columbia ferry out of service until end of the year

51-year-old ship has been out of service since November; corrosion in fire system cited for delay.

The Columbia state ferry sails through Lynn Canal on Monday, April 29, 2019. (Alex McCarthy / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

Opinion: The Alaska Marine Highway System’s battered reputation

“Before you can make a decision, you need information” Craig Tornga said while avoiding speculation about the future of the MV Matanuska. It’s been out… Continue reading

(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
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)

State awaits report, cost estimate on repairing Matanuska state ferry — and if it’s worth the effort

Full-body scan of vessel, out of service for 18 months, will determine if ship should be scrapped.

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)
The Hubbard, the newest vessel in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on April 18. It is generally scheduled to provide dayboat service between Juneau, Haines and Skagway. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Ongoing Alaska Marine Highway woes are such that marketing to Lower 48 tourists is being scaled back

“We just disappoint people right now,” AMHS’ marine director says during online public forum Monday.

The Hubbard, the newest vessel in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on April 18. It is generally scheduled to provide dayboat service between Juneau, Haines and Skagway. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. Both the vessel and terminal are scheduled to get upgrades from federal grants that will be matched with “toll funds” from ferry revenues. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Use of state ferry revenues as ‘toll credits’ to secure federal grants for major projects gets OK

Federal government approval will ensure funds for Tustumena replacement vessel, other upgrades.

The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. Both the vessel and terminal are scheduled to get upgrades from federal grants that will be matched with “toll funds” from ferry revenues. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
An employee works on the deck of an Alaska Marine Highway System vessel in a photo used by AMHS on social media to advertise jobs openings during the summer of 2023. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

Crew shortages continue to limit AMHS operations, likely to keep Kennicott idle again this summer

Situation improved from a year ago, but wheelhouse employees and engineers still a crucial need.

An employee works on the deck of an Alaska Marine Highway System vessel in a photo used by AMHS on social media to advertise jobs openings during the summer of 2023. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
A blueprint shows plans for a geotechnical exploration/bathymetry survey scheduled at Cascade Point this summer for a proposed ferry terminal. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Cascade Point ferry terminal may be ready by ’25, but AMH board members skeptical about its usefulness

“The compelling reason for this is still escaping me,” one member says during project update Tuesday

A blueprint shows plans for a geotechnical exploration/bathymetry survey scheduled at Cascade Point this summer for a proposed ferry terminal. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)