(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska Marine Highway System has released schedules in anticipation of the return to service for the MV Tustumena, MV LeConte, MV Kennicottand MV Matanuska.

MV Tustumena is scheduled to return to service on June 2, 2020. The MV Tustumena will depart from Homer round-trip to Seldovia with a late evening departure to Kodiak for the first Aleutian Chain run. It will provide service similar to previous summer schedules.

MV LeConte is scheduled to return to service on June 17, 2020. The MV LeConte will provide service to the Northern Panhandle, commencing with service to Pelican, and will provide service to Hoonah, Gustavus, Tenakee, Angoon, and Kake as well as Lynn Canal. The MV Tazlina will discontinue service on June 7 and remain in Auke Bay. 

MV Kennicott is scheduled to return to service on June 25, 2020. The MV Kennicott will depart from Ketchikan southbound to Bellingham where it will commence a modified cross-gulf run that will stop in Ketchikan, Juneau, Yakutat, and Whittier and provide service to the communities of Prince William Sound every other week.

MV Matanuska is scheduled to return to service on July 1, 2020. The MV Matanuska will replace the Bellingham Southeast run previously scheduled with the MV Columbia. The schedule has been modified to include a northbound stop in Sitka every other week and includes service to Kake. Due to reduced travel demand, it is not feasible for AMHS to operate the MV Columbia at this time.

The MV Lituya will provide limited weekly replacement service for the Inter-Island Ferry Authority, (IFA) from Ketchikan to Hollis which started Thursday, May 28, through Thursday, June 11. Passengers affected by the IFA mechanical are being notified of the vessel change and will have priority over new bookings.  IFA will open up availability of new bookings once all customers affected by canceled sailings have been accommodated.  

Schedules could change based on statewide guidelines and the ability and desire of Alaskans to travel given the COVID-19 situation. 

MV Aurora: 

With additional funding that was added to the AMHS capital budget for needed steel repairs on the MV Aurora, the vessel is now in the production hall at Vigor Ketchikan Shipyard. A repair plan has been submitted to ABS for approval, which is anticipated early next week. 

Through additional federal funds, an amenities upgrade project to the vessel will consist of a complete overhaul of the following areas:

• Bathroom facilities; new flooring, fixtures, ceiling panels & lights. 
• First Aid room; new flooring & ceiling panels.
• Side Lounge; new carpet & seat coverings.
• Forward Observation Lounge; new carpet, seat coverings & additional electrical outlets.

AMHS anticipates having the MV Aurora ready to return to service as needed in late fall of 2020.

MV Columbia, MV Kennicott, MV Tustumena, MV LeConte & MV Matanuska:

The MV Columbia, MV Kennicott and MV Tustumena projects are complete.

The MV LeConte project is on schedule and will be finished in the coming weeks.

Last week the MV Matanuska went up on the dry dock at Vigor Ketchikan Shipyard with technicians scheduled to start repairs of the reduction gear next week. 

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Marine HIghway System
http://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/index.shtml

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