January 19, 2005
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaksa - Two sailings for the M/V Fairweather, the state's fast vehicle ferry, have been cancelled so that the ferry can be taken to Ketchikan for lay-up. The Fairweather would normally have sailed to Haines and Skagway on Sunday, January 23, and to Sitka on Monday, January 24.

"We announced on January 3 that, without a new agreement with the maritime unions to allow the Fairweather to be economically operated through the winter season, we would cease operations on January 25," said DOT&PF Commissioner Mike Barton. "In order to move the ferry to Ketchikan, where it is scheduled to be drydocked in mid-February, we will have to sail for Ketchikan on the 23rd . This will give us enough time to return crewmembers to Juneau by the 25th .

"Our negotiators did achieve a tentative agreement on the fast vehicle ferry with the Inlandboatmen's Union, but the remaining two maritime unions have not yet been to the table," Barton said.

Barton said the Marine Highway will make every effort to contact travelers who have reservations for either of the two cancelled trips to rebook them on other AMHS vessels. The LeConte sails from Juneau for Sitka on Sunday, January 23 at 7:45 a.m., and the Malaspina/sails from Juneau for Haines and Skagway on Monday, January 24 at 10 a.m.

Affected travelers should contact AMHS reservations at 1-800-642-0066, or may visit the AMHS website at www.FerryAlaska.com.

Source of News Release:

Alaska Department of Transportation
Web Site

 

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