 Fast Vehicle Ferry Enters Period of Crew, Route Training July 27, 2005
 File Photo by Dick Kauffman
Falvey said the Chenega overnighted in Yakutat Tuesday tonight, and departed Wednesday morning to cross the Gulf of Alaska. Its arrival time into Cordova is estimated to be 9:00 Wednesday night. "She has a crew of 14 on board, led by Captain Pete McMahon," Falvey said. "After their arrival in Cordova, the crew will undergo 96 hours of training for the vessel, which should wrap-up by August 12. After that, the Chenega will have to make 12 non-revenue round-trips to each of the ports she will serve in Prince William Sound. We are targeting August 26 to have that completed, at which time we will welcome aboard our first passengers." Falvey said that, while the period during which the Chenega will actually be able to carry passengers in PWS will be relatively short before the vessel returns to Southeast in mid-September, the major benefit is in getting the training taken care of this summer. "When she returns to Cordova in May next year, we will not have to delay for route training at that time, and should be able to start carrying passengers right away," he said. The Chenega is an aluminum,
catamaran hull vessel designed to carry 250 passengers and 35
average sized vehicles. It is 235 feet long, with a 60 ft. beam
and an 8 ft. draft. It is powered by 4 MTU diesel engines, driving
four Kamewa waterjets. Its service speed is 32 knots, with a
top speed of 42 knots. The Chenega was constructed by
Derektor Shipyards of Bridgeport, Connecticut at a cost of $38
million.
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