Alaska Marine Highway

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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Frank Murkowski has a vision for Southeast. It includes roads and timber
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Frank Murkowski has a vision for Southeast. It includes roads and timber

There are many roadblocks in the way.

Frank Murkowski has a vision for Southeast. It includes roads and timber
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Doom for the fast ferries: Two more go up for sale

Doom for the fast ferries: Two more go up for sale

They follow in the wake of the Bartlett and Taku.

Doom for the fast ferries: Two more go up for sale
Study for ferry system’s future moving on ‘aggressive’ timeline

Study for ferry system’s future moving on ‘aggressive’ timeline

A consultant could be on board in a few days.

Study for ferry system’s future moving on ‘aggressive’ timeline
Frank Murkowski: Here’s how to fix the Alaska Marine Highway System

Frank Murkowski: Here’s how to fix the Alaska Marine Highway System

The former Alaska governor offers some suggestions.

Frank Murkowski: Here’s how to fix the Alaska Marine Highway System
Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

Ferry system braces for budget cuts
The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Ferry system aims to save money with vessel swap

The marine highway appears to be dodging some major costs.

The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Why Alaska-class ferries were the right decision

Opinion: Why Alaska-class ferries were the right decision

There’s no legitimate reason the vessels cannot be used as intended.

Opinion: Why Alaska-class ferries were the right decision
Opinion: Why the Alaska-class ferries aren’t ready

Opinion: Why the Alaska-class ferries aren’t ready

Don’t blame the wrong former governor.

Opinion: Why the Alaska-class ferries aren’t ready
New Alaska ferries need $30M in work before entering service

New Alaska ferries need $30M in work before entering service

Ferries Tazlina and Hubbard to be used on longer routes than originally planned.

New Alaska ferries need $30M in work before entering service
The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Fast ferry Fairweather faces foggy future

Even though it’s only 14 years old, the fast ferry Fairweather is laying up for the season and its future is uncertain.

The Alaska State Marine Highway Ferry Fairweather pulls up to the Auke Bay Terminal in June, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Support the ‘ocean road’ to Southeast

Access to Juneau and Southeast Alaska has been an issue for a long time. We need good, inexpensive, reliable access to and from our communities.… Continue reading

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)

Ferry passengers stranded without toilets

A pair of generators broke down on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry M/V LeConte Thursday afternoon, stranding 52 passengers on board without working toilets and… Continue reading

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)

Ferry passengers stranded without toilets

A pair of generators broke down on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry M/V LeConte Thursday afternoon, stranding 52 passengers on board without working toilets and… Continue reading

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)
Former mayor of Unalaska is new boss of Alaska ferry system

Former mayor of Unalaska is new boss of Alaska ferry system

Gov. Bill Walker has named a former Unalaska mayor to head the Alaska Marine Highway System. On Tuesday, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public… Continue reading

Former mayor of Unalaska is new boss of Alaska ferry system
Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, presents House Bill 321, the “fast-track” supplemental budget bill, Friday, March 16, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)

Alaska Legislature passes bill to avert shutdown of Medicaid, ferries

The Alaska Legislature on Friday morning approved a stopgap spending plan that keeps the Alaska Marine Highway System operating and the state’s Medicaid program working.… Continue reading

Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, presents House Bill 321, the “fast-track” supplemental budget bill, Friday, March 16, 2018 on the floor of the Alaska Senate. (Daniel McDonald | Alaska Senate Majority)