KETCHIKAN — The state is scrapping plans for a 350-foot ferry in favor of two smaller ships.
The move came after estimates to build the larger boat grew from $120 million to $167 million, Gov. Sean Parnell announced Tuesday in Ketchikan.
The estimate was expected to grow even more as the design became more fine-tuned, the Ketchikan Daily News reported Wednesday.
“I just could not, in good conscience, watch an estimate to continue to escalate without trying to do something different,” Parnell said.
Parnell said he believes two smaller ferries, in the 250-foot to 300-foot range, can be built for a total of $120 million.
“By being good stewards of Alaska’s money, we can build smaller ferries that can meet or beat the schedules of a single, over-budget, 350-foot ferry,” Parnell said.
Parnell reiterated his commitment to building the ferries at Alaska Ship and Drydock, the Ketchikan company that operates the state-owned shipyard.
The company has agreements for the final design of the larger ferry, which has been in development since 2009.
Parnell met with company officials Monday evening.
Department of Transportation Commissioner Pat Kemp said his agency will immediately begin renegotiating contracts with Vigor Industrial, the Oregon-based parent company of Alaska Ship and Drydock and the designers.
“We’re really here to support the state, and we’re happy to build whatever ships they deem necessary to support their mission and to serve the citizens of the state,” Alaska Ship and Drydock President Adam Beck said
Delays are expected as new designs are developed for the smaller ferries..
Comments (9)
Add commentI just hope...
They have really thought things out with these boats so we won't be forced to give them away to tropical nations like we're doing with our ice breaker.
Or that they have serviceable
Or that they have serviceable parts so that if they break down weekly, we dont have to fly a technician in from Sweden or where ever.
This is a complete ploy by
This is a complete ploy by Parnell to dely construction and spending money until he is out. Two smaller ferries will end up very quickly being more expensive then one larger. It's not hard to see past this one.
First Parnell turns down federal money for ferry
so it won't have to go out to bid.
And then he halts construction of the ferry in Alaska because of cost overruns. Like no other projects in Alaska go over cost estimates.
A safe, stable, reliable mid-size, 350-foot Alaska-class ferry is the top priority in SE Alaska for the economic sustainability of our SE communities.
Parnell "believes" he can build two small ferries for $120, even though the designs on them haven't even been initiated yet. Kind of hard to pin down costs on that--one would think.
Someone tie Parnell to the LeConte or the Fairweather and send him up the Lynn Canal to Skagway in 70+ knot winds and 14 foot waves, weather conditions which are routine here.
Small ferries are not a solution for SE and/or especially for the Upper Lynn Canal. Research the cancellations of LeConte and the Fairweather due to Upper Lynn Canal weather. We don't need more failed experiments with small ferries in the Upper Lynn Canal.
The mid-size ferry is an investment in Alaska's economy. The entire AMH system is better served with a reliable mid-sized ferry. The mid-size Alaska-class ferry will be more safe, more reliable, and more flexible to the whole system.
Investment in our health, our economic well-being, and our safety is the responsibility of government. Parnell--worst governor ever.
Oh well
All Parnell has to accomplish to make himself look good is build something a bit better than the Mv Knowles and the Mv Tony.
Frankly, damn near anything that floats will get that done.
By Parnell's logic...
...two Subarus will be cheaper to operate than one pickup truck.
No to day boats, yes to staterooms, no to smaller ships!
I thought the goal was to replace some of the old-timer ships with more modern & fuel efficient ships!
What was the purpose of having public input or comment in respect to construction of a new ship? It appears that was all for naught...12 yrs of so-called planning down the drain, which means money spent on all of that planning was for naught.
Come on, Parnell! Do YOU use these ferries? There are communities that are not connected by roads that need & use the ferries. Staterooms are needed! Uncomfortable chairs and lack of privacy warrant the need for staterooms. Smaller ferries with day crews only is not the answer either! This IS OUR highway! Most of us in communities other than Juneau need these ships. Juneau would rather have a road that goes north only. The rest of us have no interest in the road. We want the larger ship designed to accomodate our needs, not two smaller ones!
Making these two smaller ships with day crews only, restricts the use of them. No crews quarters, no passenger quarters! Nothing like taking away passenger comfort! What is wrong with the Le Conte and Aurora making runs in northern S.E.? Our weather in S.E. can get mighty scary! Are these ships going to be designed to handle the extreme weather that can change from one hour to the next, sometimes in a matter of minutes?
Parnell's logic....
Is that akin to conservative think tank?
Here, Here Gramaraven!
EXACTLY...I live in Juneau but KNOW that our marine highway is here for all of SE. A road serves only Juneau and small ferries won't be practical.
and by the way....did we not expect the price to rise? It's skyrocketing everywhere. As kmkmci points out...it's tough to estimate what the two will cost if we can't pin down what one will cost.