Alaska Marine Highway

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

Matanuska delayed as repair work continues

Jan. 24 sailing to Bellingham canceled.

 

This February 2020 file photo shows the Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. The infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress includes significant funding for the ferry system, but coastal communities are still feeling the pinch of reduced service. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Infrastructure act will boost ferries, but winter service still sparse

New funds, old problems.

 

This 2010 photo shows the soon-to-be-replaced Tustumena come into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia. Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on Saturday the state would be replacing the ferry. The replacement vessel has not yet been named, and a statewide contest will be held to name the new vessel, Dunleavy said. (Homer News File)

State moves ahead with replacement of Tustumena

The state has other plans for updating the marine highway.

 

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Malaspina and Amak Towing tugboat Jennie B. share a mooring in Ketchikan, Alaska on May 21. The state of Alaska is trying to dispose of the 58-year-old ferry, and even has offered to give it free to the government of the Philippines. CoastAlaska reports Gov. Mike Dunleavy offered to give the Malaspina ferry away in a letter last month to the Philippines consul general in San Francisco. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)

Alaska offers 58-year-old ferry for free to the Philippines

Gov. Mike Dunleavy offered to give the Malaspina ferry away in a letter last month to the Philippines consul general in San Francisco.

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Malaspina and Amak Towing tugboat Jennie B. share a mooring in Ketchikan, Alaska on May 21. The state of Alaska is trying to dispose of the 58-year-old ferry, and even has offered to give it free to the government of the Philippines. CoastAlaska reports Gov. Mike Dunleavy offered to give the Malaspina ferry away in a letter last month to the Philippines consul general in San Francisco. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)
The Alaska State Legislature passed a bill to create a new oversight board for the Alaska Marine Highway System and its ships like the Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Bill to create new AMHS board heads to governor

It’s been a years-long effort.

The Alaska State Legislature passed a bill to create a new oversight board for the Alaska Marine Highway System and its ships like the Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020. (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. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Bill that would reshape AMHS leadership moves forward

Ideological divide over the word ‘highway.’

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. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file Service from ferries like the 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.

Lack of planning hampers AMHS, lawmakers say

Uncertainty hurts business.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file Service from ferries like the 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.
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)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire FileA person 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.

Long-awaited ferry reshaping report released

Read the full report here.

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

Sailings canceled after ferry passengers test positive for COVID-19

Ferry crew to be tested.

In this June 23, 2016 photo, the Alaska Marine Highway’s ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration.

Ferry workers strike continues; State says strike ‘illegal’

Ferry workers strike, and the state strikes back

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific picket in front of the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday. The union called a strike on Wednesday over failed negotiations with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration.
Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ferry system braces for budget cuts

Dwindling budget could mean loss of services.

Susan Bell, of the McDowell Group, and Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, present information about the Alaska Marine Highway Systems during an information meeting for House members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislature’s mistake may shut down ferry system

A legislative mistake may mean a spring shutdown of the Alaska Marine Highway. Pat Pitney, director of the Alaska Office of Management and Budget warned… Continue reading