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In this Empire file photo, an Alaska Marine Highway ferry is docked at the Auke Bay terminal in Juneau. A bill recently passed by the House of Representatives would create a new governing board, hopefully bringing stability to the ailing system. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

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House passes bill to create new ferry board

A more stable ferry system.

This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

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2 Matanuska crewmembers test positive for COVID

No close contacts with passengers identified.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The MV Matanuska awaits repairs at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday as lawmakers at the state Capitol debated whether the Alaska Marine Highway System was actually a highway. A bill that would shape long-term planning for the system passed out of committee.

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Bill that would reshape AMHS leadership moves forward

Ideological divide over the word ‘highway.’

A bill from Gov. Mike Dunleavy would rework the Marine Transportation Advisory Board to help the Alaska Marine Highway System with long-term planning to provide better service for passengers like the ones seen here at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on May 16, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Governor’s new bill would change long-term planning for state’s ferry system

In it for the long haul?

The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014.

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State’s fast ferries sold for over $5M

They’ll be headed to Spain soon.

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)

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Lack of planning hampers AMHS, lawmakers say

Uncertainty hurts business.

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)

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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.

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)

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Police arrest 1 after bomb threat at ferry terminal

No bomb was located, a JPD spokesperson said.

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)

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Public comment period opens for ferry schedule

A teleconference is set for Feb. 8.

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)

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Storm delays Kennicott sailing

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

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)

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Leconte adds November and December sailings

Sailings are from Juneau to Hoonah and Gustavus.

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.

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Reshaping recommendations roil stakeholders

How much more can you cut?

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)

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Long-awaited ferry reshaping report released

Read the full report here.

The Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

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State accepts bids for 2 fast ferries that faced struggles

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

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file Crew members on the Tazlina standby as the vessel docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on May 16.

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AMHS is down but not out, panelists say

Are regional systems the answer?

Sailings canceled after ferry passengers test positive for COVID-19

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Sailings canceled after ferry passengers test positive for COVID-19

Ferry crew to be tested.

The MV LeConte as seen at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, July 20, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

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Ferry work group says $24M subsidy insufficient

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

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)

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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)

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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)

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The Matanuska heads to Ketchikan for repairs

Work is expected to be done in May.