October 27, 2006
Friday AM

Ketchikan, Alaska - After four years and eight months of service on the Hollis-Ketchikan run, during which the Inter-Island Ferry Authority's M/V Prince of Wales has logged over 200,000 miles, the vessel sailed south Thursday to undergo a major refit. The ferry has hauled over 220,000 passengers and 56,000 vehicles during this period.

IFA general manager Tom Briggs announced Thursday that the board of directors has approved an intent to award a $1,330,000 contract to the only responsive bidder for the scheduled retrofit, Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes, Washington. This shipyard built the M/V Prince of Wales and sister vessel the M/V Stikine. Briggs said that because the bid amount was in excess of engineers estimates, it was decided to defer planned bridge wing enclosures until next year.

Operations manager Captain Lonnie Adams said that work included in the negotiated contract includes a more powerful bow thruster, third generator, control pitch propeller upgrades, heating system enhancements with electric back-up heaters, and a new 12 camera security system. The ship's galley will receive a larger grill and a new poured floor. Dry dock and miscellaneous work will also be performed. Adams said that majority of the upgrades scheduled for the M/V POW were incorporated in the M/V Stikine design. The work is to be completed by May 10, 2007.

The M/V Stikine, which went into service on the IFA's seasonal northern route between Coffman Cove, Wrangell and Petersburg last May, is now providing round-trip daily service on the Hollis-Ketchikan route.

Source of News:

Inter-Island Ferry Authority

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