March 02, 2009
Monday

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry Lituya is scheduled to resume service between the communities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla Mar. 5, that according to AMHS officials in an announcement Friday.

The 181-foot Lituya, built in 2004, sustained damage to various portions of its hull after the ship broke free from its mooring in Metlakatla Jan. 30, causing the ship to ground near Scrub Island in Southeast Alaska. Responders safely refloated the ferry that same day. A small amount of fuel spilled into the water that morning when the vessel began to list as the tide dropped.

"My hat goes off to the crews and Alaska Ship and Drydock who literally worked 24/7 to complete the repairs quickly, thoroughly and on time to allow us to resume service," said Capt. John Falvey, AMHS general manager." Lituya's first sailing will be Mar. 5 when it departs Metlakatla at 8 a.m."

Some of the ship's damage included dents to the keel coolers and bottom plating. Those areas were repaired after engineers replaced damaged steel with new metal.

Lituya and its crew will set sail aboard the ship next week to conduct U.S. Coast Guard ready for sea trials.

Source of News:

Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
www.dot.state.ak.us

 

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