Lawmakers demand urgent action to restore AMHS; M/V Tazlina back in service this weekPosted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN
March 03, 2020
Coastal Alaska communities face an ongoing crisis that is the result of most state ferries being pulled from operation due to a host of systemic problems. Thousands of people are currently cut off from the outside world, unable to access healthcare, food and essential supplies, and the state’s economy. “People all over our state are understandably worried about the potential impacts of a coronavirus outbreak. The health of our people could be impacted, supply chains that keep our communities running could break down, and our economy could suffer,” Rep. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) said. “Sadly, a human-caused problem – the mismanagement of our ferries – is already causing store shelves to go empty and a broad crisis that is crippling Coastal Alaska. Our letter encourages the administration to treat this situation like the crisis that it is.”
Representative Stutes, chair of the House Transportation Committee, wrote the letter following a visit to AMHS facilities and the Vigor Shipyard in Ketchikan, where a few AMHS ships are being held out of operation. Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Reps. Neal Foster, Jennifer Johnston, Chuck Kopp, Dan Ortiz, and Steve Thompson also signed the letter. Quoting the letter, Rep. Stutes wrote 10 of 12 ferries are currently inoperable. She stated after her visit to the Vigor's Ketchikan Shipyard last week, it became apparent that poor maintenance, management, and communication by AMHS is, in large part, responsible for the current state of the vessels disrepair. (Read the Letter pdf) “Lawmakers can’t fund maintenance requests that are never brought forward, and we can’t use repair dollars effectively without thoughtful planning,” added Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan). Ortiz said, “We’re doing everything in our power to solve this crisis, but we need the administration to meet us in the middle. The system badly needs significant investments to support repairs and adequate operations.” The Alaska Department of Transportation also announced today the plan to return the M/V Tazlina to service on Thursday, March 5, 2020/ The M/V Tazlina arrived from Ketchikan to Juneau’s Auke Bay Terminal on Feb. 29, 2020, and according to a news release, the crew is preparing for its return to service this week. The vessel will provide regular scheduled service from Juneau to Angoon, Hoonah, Haines, and Skagway. The Tazlina was at Vigor Marine’s Ketchikan shipyard since mid-January where the vessel received required warranty work and annual inspections for certifications. This week, the Tazlina’s crew will take her out for required United States Coast Guard certificate of inspection drills. These drills include firefighting and abandon ship operations, along with launching and retrieving Tazlina’s rescue boats. The crew will load Tazlina with fuel and stores and prepare for the ship's return to revenue service. The MV Tazlina is 280 feet long, seats up to 300 passengers and carries 53 standard vehicles. The MV Tazlina was christened in Ketchikan on August 11, 2018 by former First Lady, Donna Walker and began service in early May, 2019. The initial trips on Tazlina’s schedule are as follows: Juneau – Haines/Skagway round trips: The AMHS summer schedule covers ferry travel from May through September 2020. Fare information is available at FerryAlaska.com or from reservations agents. According to the DOT, release of the 2020 summer schedule followed a public comment period held in January and February. The comment period was an opportunity for communities and individuals to review and comment on the proposed schedule, and to alert AMHS to significant community events.
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