(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Alaska Marine Highway System announced last week that extended repairs needed on the MV Malaspina will change winter ferry service for Southeast Alaska and Prince Rupert. From December 22, 2017 to February 23, 2018, the Columbia and LeConte will cover for the Malaspina. 

Most Southeast Alaska communities will receive winter ferry service once a week and service to Prince Rupert is canceled. At the end of February 2018, the Kennicott will return to service to cover for the Malaspina and full ferry service to Southeast Alaska and Prince Rupert will resume.

"We know this is a big impact to communities who rely on ferries for passenger travel and cargo shipments. We rescheduled service to maximize port calls with available vessels and to offer communities full service for spring events like Gold Medal," said Captain John Falvey, Alaska Marine Highway General Manager. "We're disappointed and trying to make the best of it for passengers."

The Malaspina went in for its annual overhaul and certification on October 1, 2017 and was scheduled to return to service on December 22, 2017. During the overhaul, engineers determined that extensive steel replacement was needed and that both propeller hubs must be repaired. Because shipyard space is limited and propeller hubs will take several months to complete, the vessel is now scheduled to return to service in late spring.

According to a press release, AMHS staff will be notifying all affected passengers.

For passenger information, call a local terminal or the AMHS central reservations office at 1-907-465-3941 or toll free at 1-800-642-0066. An updated schedule will be made available online at FerryAlaska.com

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Transportation
www.dot.state.ak.us

 

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