Federal funding has brought hope to the state’s ferries. But years of financial troubles, political fights and worker shortages complicate the system’s recovery.
A spotlight of the state ferry Kennicott assists the crew as it approaches Wrangell late February 23, 2024. KETCHIKAN — Minutes after the M/V Kennicott pulled away from its terminal in the Tongass Narrows on a late February journey up the Inside Passage, emergency lights flickered on, barely visible under a bright winter sun. Seasoned travelers on the Alaska marine highway exchanged wary looks as the ferry slowed.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic that bottomed out ridership in 2020 to less than a third of what it had been the prior year. From a system that relied mostly on state dollars for its operation since its inception, it has transitioned into one that is paid for as much by the federal government as by the state. To receive federal funding, the state must apply for grants and in some casesAurah Landau stitches while riding the Kennicott. Landau is a former spokesperson for the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Bill and Julianne Luce rode north from Bellingham, Washington, with their dog Snow White. Bill, a retired Alaska National Guardsman and teacher in rural Alaska, and his wife, Julianne, a school librarian, maintain homes in Wasilla, Montana and Kodiak Island. They ride Alaska ferries frequently as they shuttle between them.The reduction in ferry service has made it harder.
“When you’re on an island, you pretty much rely on the ferry system to get from community to community. We wouldn’t be able to take our truck on an airplane,” said Alisha Seward, a trooper who has worked in Kodiak, Anchor Point and Soldotna. “If you don’t live in one of these small communities, you don’t realize how the ferry plays an important role.”“They expect it to be maintained and they expect it to be snowplowed when snowplowing is required.
Alaska Marine Highway System ferries, including, from left, the Columbia, LeConte and Tazlina, dock for maintenance at the Vigor shipyard in Ketchikan. Starting a decade ago, the number of riders declined steadily, from 319,000 to 52,000 at the height of the pandemic in 2020. The Ketchikan boys basketball team gets hyped up before the start of a home game on February 22, 2024. In most cases, teams must fly to participate in high school sports.
The return of regular service to Prince Rupert is unlikely in the years to come because it requires a vessel that meets international standards. For residents of Ketchikan and those hoping to save money on the move up to Alaska, the loss of the service is a significant blow, and one that makes it harder to move to Alaska — for a summer or a lifetime.ADVERTISEMENTThe Alaska Marine Highway System was formed in tandem with statehood.
Baylous grew up in Southeast Alaska and started as a cadet on the Malaspina in 2004 — at a time when working for the ferry system meant the promise of a guaranteed pension and regular sailings to different parts of the state. The four operating vessels in the system offer no room for redundancy. Any malfunction could mean canceled voyages with no chance for another vessel to pick up the slack.
Mechanic Ronnie Giroir sprays diesel fuel to clean engine parts on the ferry LeConte during its maintenance in Ketchikan.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Federal appeals court declines to ‘criminalize’ Beaufort Sea oil and gas workA divided three-judge panel concluded that a federal agency failed to justify a regulation that allows some oil and gas work.
Lire la suite »
Federal appeals court declines to ‘criminalize’ Beaufort Sea oil and gas workA three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined Tuesday to halt significant amounts of oil and gas work on and near Alaska’s Beaufort Sea coast despite concluding that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service erred when it granted permission for oil companies to harass nearby polar bears.
Lire la suite »
Sea turtles in poor condition swamp a local sea turtle hospitalHigh numbers of sea turtles are washing ashore all along Northeast Florida beaches.
Lire la suite »
Houston crime: Man pleads guilty to assault of federal officer after damaging federal courthouseA 37-year-old Houston resident pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal officer after damaging two downtown buildings with a metal pole, facing up to 20 years in federal prison, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Lire la suite »
These 12 Deep Sea Sea Creatures Are More Comical Than CreepyAccustom to little light and high pressure, these unique sea creatures thrive in the cold ocean depths.
Lire la suite »
Jack Teixeira will plead guilty in massive leak of documents on DiscordFederal prosecutors filed a notice with a federal judge in advance of a hearing next week.
Lire la suite »