Alaska Marine Highway

Capt. Dave Turner, who has been with the Alaska Marine Highway System for 14 years, scans some of the equipment on the Columbia. He makes a point of being approachable by crew, but said in the end, “it’s my license.” (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Fixing the ferry’s future: Meet some of the crew on the Columbia

Five people who do everything from cleaning to commanding the nearly 50-year-old state vessel

Capt. Dave Turner, who has been with the Alaska Marine Highway System for 14 years, scans some of the equipment on the Columbia. He makes a point of being approachable by crew, but said in the end, “it’s my license.” (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Chad Goeden, seen here on board the Columbia in mid-July, is one of two retired Alaska State Troopers participating in a new program that serves as deterrent while also strengthening security on the Alaska Marine Highway System. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Fixing the ferry’s future: New program puts retired, certified troopers on some ferries

DPS and DOT team up on proactive effort to add security to AMHS.

Chad Goeden, seen here on board the Columbia in mid-July, is one of two retired Alaska State Troopers participating in a new program that serves as deterrent while also strengthening security on the Alaska Marine Highway System. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
The Hubbard ferry departs the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal for its inaugural voyage through northern Lynn Canal on May 23. (Courtesy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Hubbard will remain in service as staff and repair issues are addressed

Newest AMHS ferry “unequivocally” safe, despite inspection deficiencies, DOT official says.

The Hubbard ferry departs the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal for its inaugural voyage through northern Lynn Canal on May 23. (Courtesy of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
The Hubbard ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Juneau on June 26 for a christening ceremony. The 280-foot-long vessel, with room for 300 passengers and 53 standard-length vehicles, officially was put into service in Southeast Alaska in May. But officials said Friday it may be taken out of service next week due to an employee shortage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hubbard may be taken out of service as AMHS employee, vessel woes continue

Newest ferry offering day service between Juneau, Skagway and Haines also suffering “growing pains.”

The Hubbard ferry docks at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Juneau on June 26 for a christening ceremony. The 280-foot-long vessel, with room for 300 passengers and 53 standard-length vehicles, officially was put into service in Southeast Alaska in May. But officials said Friday it may be taken out of service next week due to an employee shortage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Author standing at the Sitka terminal ramp May 22 waiting to board the Columbia to Haines. (Photo courtesy of Regina Discenza)

My Turn: My costly experience with the Alaska Marine Highway System

Last year during the summer of 2022 I wanted to visit a few small towns in Alaska with the ferry. Air service to Gustavus was… Continue reading

Author standing at the Sitka terminal ramp May 22 waiting to board the Columbia to Haines. (Photo courtesy of Regina Discenza)
The Tazlina berths at the Auke Bay Terminal in March. The Alaska Marine Highway System’s proposed winter schedule is now available for public review, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Winter ferry schedule now open for review

Public comments are being accepted through July 12.

The Tazlina berths at the Auke Bay Terminal in March. The Alaska Marine Highway System’s proposed winter schedule is now available for public review, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The Hubbard and LeConte ferries are seen at a Southeast Alaska port in this picture published June 1. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)

State ferry system says it is unable to provide hiring numbers

Alaska Marine Highway has been short of onboard employees for more than two years.

The Hubbard and LeConte ferries are seen at a Southeast Alaska port in this picture published June 1. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)
A lifeboat on the deck of the Columbia ferry in May. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)

Columbia ferry set to resume service Wednesday

Week of canceled sailings for repairs means longer vehicle wait lists, officials say.

A lifeboat on the deck of the Columbia ferry in May. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)
First Lady Rose Dunleavy (left) breaks a bottle across the bow of the Hubbard ferry during a christening ceremony Monday at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Juneau, as vessel relief captain Ethan Waldvogel watches. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hubbard christened as Alaska’s newest ferry

After years of delays, vessel now making day trips to Juneau, Haines and Skagway

First Lady Rose Dunleavy (left) breaks a bottle across the bow of the Hubbard ferry during a christening ceremony Monday at the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Juneau, as vessel relief captain Ethan Waldvogel watches. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Columbia docks at the terminal in Haines while in service previously. (Geraldine Young / Alaska DOTPF)

Columbia cancels sailings for at least a week due to repairs

Mechanical issue on aging ferry affects stops between Haines and Bellingham

The Columbia docks at the terminal in Haines while in service previously. (Geraldine Young / Alaska DOTPF)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.

DOT: Staffing shortages mean fewer ferries this summer

Service may improve if more crew becomes available, officials say

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The Tazlina docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Thursday afternoon.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

State signs agreement with Goldbelt Inc. for Cascade Point ferry terminal feasibility study

A long-discussed project took a step forward…

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. Over a quarter of a billion dollars is on its way to fund six projects for the Alaska Marine Highway System via grant funding awarded by the Federal Transit Administration. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Feds float AMHS $285M in ferry infrastructure funding

It will fund six projects, requires state partial fund match

The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. Over a quarter of a billion dollars is on its way to fund six projects for the Alaska Marine Highway System via grant funding awarded by the Federal Transit Administration. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System announced an opportunity to submit written comments about the draft schedule summer schedule. The comment period is currently open and runs until Jan. 26. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

DOT seeks input on proposed summer ferry schedule

The public comment period runs until Jan. 26.

The Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this November 2021 photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System announced an opportunity to submit written comments about the draft schedule summer schedule. The comment period is currently open and runs until Jan. 26. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Geraldine Young / Alaska DOTPF The Columbia docks at the terminal in Haines while in service previously. The Alaska Marine Highway vessel, which was taken out of service as a cost-cutting measure in 2019, is scheduled to resume voyages between Bellingham and Southeast Alaska in February while the Matanuska undergoes renovations.

Columbia to resume mainline ferry service next month

Vessel grounded in 2019 to save costs now needed due to extra repairs planned for Matanuska

Geraldine Young / Alaska DOTPF The Columbia docks at the terminal in Haines while in service previously. The Alaska Marine Highway vessel, which was taken out of service as a cost-cutting measure in 2019, is scheduled to resume voyages between Bellingham and Southeast Alaska in February while the Matanuska undergoes renovations.
Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Ferry schedule shows long service gaps for 4 Southeast communities —for now

Kake, Pelican, Angoon and Tenakee Springs omitted from schedule, but additions are pending

Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
The MV Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this Nov. 15, 2021, photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry is expected to provide service from early January through February, according to the Alaska Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities. Updates on some aspects of winter operations from October until next April were provided by top ferry and state transportation officials during an Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board meeting Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Chilly reception for proposed winter ferry schedule

Fears about no or little service for critical needs expressed from Southeast to Southwest Alaska

The MV Tazlina is docked at the Auke Bay ferry terminal in this Nov. 15, 2021, photo. The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry is expected to provide service from early January through February, according to the Alaska Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities. Updates on some aspects of winter operations from October until next April were provided by top ferry and state transportation officials during an Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board meeting Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The MV Tustumena sails into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News File Photo)

Tustumena sailings canceled due to crew shortage

Schedule anticipated to resume on Aug. 27

The MV Tustumena sails into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News File Photo)
This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott. The Alaska Marine Highway System's winter ferry schedule is now available for review. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Winter ferry schedule available for review

Comments now being accepted.

This October 2020 photo shows the MV Kennicott. The Alaska Marine Highway System's winter ferry schedule is now available for review. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Ryan Anderson, right, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, discusses his experiences during his 22 years at the department before his presentation during the weekly Juneau Chamber of Commerce lunch at The Moose Lodge. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Changing course on ferry plans

Federal funds, COVID-19 issues means improvements rather than privatization, commissioner says.

Ryan Anderson, right, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, discusses his experiences during his 22 years at the department before his presentation during the weekly Juneau Chamber of Commerce lunch at The Moose Lodge. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)