September 17, 2004
Friday

Juneau, Alaska - The M/V /Aurora has finished a schedule in Prince William Sound in time to allow Alaska Marine Highway System managers to assign her to fill in for the M/V LeConte, which is still in dry dock in Ketchikan for repairs. The Aurora will continue to cover the LeConte's published schedule until the LeConte returns to service in October.

The Aurora will begin the LeConte's schedule on Friday night, September 17, leaving Juneau at 5:15 for Sitka by way of Hoonah, Tenakee, and Angoon. The vessel will be able to leave Hoonah for Juneau at the published departure time of 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 19th.

"We are very pleased to announce that the Aurora will be able to cover the LeConte's published schedule of service, particularly to the smaller villages of Angoon, Pelican, Hoonah, Kake, and Tenakee," said Tom Briggs, Deputy Commissioner for marine transportation. "We have been blessed by a window of good weather that has allowed the Aurora to transit the Gulf of Alaska sooner than expected, and we will be able to put her on the LeConte's route Friday evening."

Briggs said the contract with Alaska Catamaran and Sea Level Transport providing service to Angoon and Pelican will end after Sunday's sailings. "We have been very happy with the service both of the companies provided," he said. "Their customer service level has been outstanding, and we greatly appreciate it that they have been able to step up to fill in for the LeConte."

Following the grounding of the LeConte on May 10, AMHS covered its schedule with a combination of service by the M/V Taku for ports it was able to serve, and by private sector providers for ports the Taku was not able to call on because it is not configured for those docks.

Source of News Release:

Office of the Governor
Web Site

 

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