Alaska Marine Highway

Service from ferries like the MV Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020, have become unreliable for coastal communities as year-to-year planning leads to high levels of uncertainty, according to coastal lawmakers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lack of planning hampers AMHS, lawmakers say

Uncertainty hurts business.

Service from ferries like the MV Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020, have become unreliable for coastal communities as year-to-year planning leads to high levels of uncertainty, according to coastal lawmakers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Spot, a kitten who escaped on an Alaska Marine Highway ferry bound from Washington to Haines, took a solo adventure in Juneau but was returned to her family in Haines by a thoughtful Juneau resident on March 9, 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Ashlyn Harper)

Kitten escaped on ferry found in Juneau and returned to owner

The cat made the last leg of the trip to Haines Tuesday after a solo expedition.

Spot, a kitten who escaped on an Alaska Marine Highway ferry bound from Washington to Haines, took a solo adventure in Juneau but was returned to her family in Haines by a thoughtful Juneau resident on March 9, 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Ashlyn Harper)
MV LeConte docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal with the MV Tazlina in the background on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. The LeConte was present in Juneau when a bomb threat was made against it Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Police arrest 1 after bomb threat at ferry terminal

No bomb was located, a JPD spokesperson said.

MV LeConte docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal with the MV Tazlina in the background on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. The LeConte was present in Juneau when a bomb threat was made against it Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This October 2020 photo shows the illuminated Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is now accepting comments on the proposed Alaska Marine Highway summer ferry schedule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Public comment period opens for ferry schedule

A teleconference is set for Feb. 8.

This October 2020 photo shows the illuminated Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is now accepting comments on the proposed Alaska Marine Highway summer ferry schedule. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This October photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. The ferry's schedule has been changed due to predicted storms. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Storm delays Kennicott sailing

A winter storm will alter the schedule for the next two weeks.

This October photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. The ferry's schedule has been changed due to predicted storms. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
MV LeConte docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal with the MV Tazlina in the background on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Leconte adds November and December sailings

Sailings are from Juneau to Hoonah and Gustavus.

MV LeConte docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal with the MV Tazlina in the background on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire The MV Kennicott, docked at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, was out of commission awaiting repairs on Friday. A report released by the the Alaska Marine Highway Work Group made several recommendations to make the ferry system more effective, but the ferries’ stakeholders say they’ve given up enough already.

Reshaping recommendations roil stakeholders

How much more can you cut?

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire The MV Kennicott, docked at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, was out of commission awaiting repairs on Friday. A report released by the the Alaska Marine Highway Work Group made several recommendations to make the ferry system more effective, but the ferries’ stakeholders say they’ve given up enough already.
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Long-awaited ferry reshaping report released

Read the full report here.

Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

State accepts bids for 2 fast ferries that faced struggles

The state Department of Transportation issued a public notice of the bidding process Thursday.

The Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file Crew members on the Tazlina standby as the vessel docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on May 16.

AMHS is down but not out, panelists say

Are regional systems the answer?

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file Crew members on the Tazlina standby as the vessel docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on May 16.
Sailings canceled after ferry passengers test positive for COVID-19

Sailings canceled after ferry passengers test positive for COVID-19

Ferry crew to be tested.

Sailings canceled after ferry passengers test positive for COVID-19
The MV LeConte as seen at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, July 20, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Ferry work group says $24M subsidy insufficient

The task force faces a Sept. 30 deadline to complete its report.

The MV LeConte as seen at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, July 20, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Ferry work group begins work toward dependable service

The work group’s recommendations are due by the end of September.

The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers approve $66.7M for Alaska Marine Highway System

Legislators increased the operating budget for ferry service by around $20 million.

The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

The Matanuska heads to Ketchikan for repairs

Work is expected to be done in May.

The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
The MV Matanuska tied up at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Roads don’t rust

“A boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money.”

The MV Matanuska tied up at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
In this file photo, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal in July 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Ferry Emergency: Six of the state’s 11 ferries are out of service

The Aurora is the latest heading for layup.

In this file photo, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal in July 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Stranded: Ferry strikes leave visitors, businesses and locals high and dry
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Stranded: Ferry strikes leave visitors, businesses and locals high and dry

Ferry worker strike has left visitors to the region trapped.

Stranded: Ferry strikes leave visitors, businesses and locals high and dry
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Ferry work stoppages stretch to seventh day

Ferry work stoppages stretch to seventh day

Striker ready to trade picket line for regular work.

Ferry work stoppages stretch to seventh day
Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2019. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Ferry workers strike continues; State says strike ‘illegal’

Ferry workers strike, and the state strikes back

Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2019. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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