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Post by alaskanmohican on Sept 27, 2011 13:43:22 GMT -8
An article in the Juneau Empire about the Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan and what it might mean for the ferries. Link: juneauempire.com/local/2011-09-27/area-transit-plan-focuses-ferriesTo put it mildly, I highly doubt that Bellingham will be dropped from the schedule. These plans are suppose to consider "all" possibilities, even the unlikely ones. This way they can at least say that it was considered. I posted some info a few posts up about the proposals the transportation plan has. |
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Post by EGfleet on Dec 21, 2011 7:39:10 GMT -8
Marine highway plans to replace fast ferry enginesEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska News Source: KFSK JUNEAU, ALASKA (2011-12-20) Alaska’s Marine Highway System is asking the Legislature to budget $22 million for new fast ferry engines. But it may not use the money if a lawsuit against the shipbuilder succeeds. Engines on the Fairweather and Chenega have shown signs of excessive wear that could stop them from sailing within a few years. State officials tried to negotiate a solution, and then filed suit. They also asked the court for a preliminary injunction forcing the builders to provide replacements soon. That’s because the engines could wear out before the issue goes before a jury. Ferry chief Mike Neussl says experts check the engines on a regular basis. “The Fairweather just underwent an inspection and was granted authority for another year. So we are good through the summer of 2012 operating season on Fairweather’s engines,” Neussl says. The Chenega will be inspected in January and its engine cylinders could be bored out to remove damage. But little more can be done for the Fairweather’s power system. The $22 million would replace one ship’s engines. It is part of the Governor Sean Parnell’s capital budget request for the fiscal year starting in July. Neussl says it would not be a direct appropriation of state money. “Those are federal receipts. That’s really seeking authority from the Legislature to be able to use federal funds to replace fast ferry engines, should that become necessary,” he says. He says replacement engines would likely come from the company that built the current set. That’s because few choices are available. “They have safely powered the ship, moved a lot of people and moved a lot of vehicles. It’s just a longevity issue and the ability for them to last as long as the ships last. That’s really the heart of the issue here,” he says. It’s not known when the judge will rule on the preliminary injunction against shipbuilder, Derecktor Shipyards, and the subcontractors that built the engines The fast ferries each carry up to 250 passengers and 36 vehicles. The Fairweather was built in 2004 and the Chenega in 2005. kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=centerBlock&syndicated=true&ID=2102
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Post by alaskanmohican on Jan 23, 2012 22:35:43 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 5, 2012 13:44:29 GMT -8
A new Ketchikan airport ferry, as of April 2011: Here's the writeup from the webpage from the Vancouver area naval-architect: See the naval architect's webpage, for a photo of the ship (one of the 4 or 5 photos that they rotate on their homepage. www.capilanomaritime.com/ |
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 8, 2012 6:36:00 GMT -8
Shipbuilder Vigor Industrial to expand operations with acquisition of Alaska shipyardBy Winonna Saari Herald Writer Vigor Industrial, a Northwest shipbuilding operation that operates Vigor Marine in Everett, is purchasing an Alaska-based shipbuilding company, Alaska Ship and Drydock in Ketchikan. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Vigor's presence on the West Coast. "Everett has a great tradition as a maritime community. Everything we can do at Vigor to help build a strong maritime industry will help sustain and ultimately build jobs in Everett and everywhere we work, including soon in Alaska," said Steve Hirsh, Vigor industrial director of communications. Hirsh said Vigor is expecting to hire close to 100 skilled welders statewide in the next few weeks, to build the next new ferry for Washington State Ferries. Those jobs will initially be in Seattle, but as construction progresses, there will also be ferry-building jobs in Everett, Hirsh said. Qualified applicants can check its website at vigorindustrial.com/jobs. Both companies hope to complete the acquisition agreement by March 1. www.heraldnet.com/article/20120208/BIZ/702089869/1050/COMM0611
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Post by alaskanmohican on Feb 8, 2012 14:32:17 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 30, 2012 17:33:15 GMT -8
News story on Alaska new policy to not stop at ports when there is no reserved-traffic to pick-up. from here: www.adn.com/2012/05/29/2484346/ferries-will-bypass-empty-ports.html-------------------------- Hypothetical musing about BCFerries on this issue: The only BCFerries route I could see this working on is Route-40 Discovery Coast, if at all. Ocean Falls would be the likely candidate for the Monday 1:00am call. |
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,294
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Post by Neil on May 30, 2012 20:19:00 GMT -8
News story on Alaska new policy to not stop at ports when there is no reserved-traffic to pick-up. from here: www.adn.com/2012/05/29/2484346/ferries-will-bypass-empty-ports.html-------------------------- Hypothetical musing about BCFerries on this issue: The only BCFerries route I could see this working on is Route-40 Discovery Coast, if at all. Ocean Falls would be the likely candidate for the Monday 1:00am call. Can see the line of thinking, but consider: Both Valdez and Whittier have road connections. Ocean Falls does not. Ocean Falls has less than eighty year round residents. If you look at the traffic figures, it is clear that some scheduled stops have no customers. Therefore, Mr Horn's suggestion is valid. |
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Post by WettCoast on May 30, 2012 21:09:57 GMT -8
This move by AMHS simply means that people have to plan ahead and make a reservation. I don't think that is too much to ask. The same applies in Ocean Falls and other places along BC's coast. Cutting expenses just a little bit in this manner is not unreasonable.
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Post by Name Omitted on Jul 1, 2012 1:03:02 GMT -8
A almost throw-away paragraph in the Alaska Dispatch could tell of a potentially important change in AMHS funding into the future, providing more stability for the system. The Alaska Marine Highway will receive an increase in funding because of greater importance to be placed on route miles. Rep. Young was also able to secure guaranteed funding for Alaska’s ferries by ensuring that ferry funding come from the Highway Trust Fund instead of being subject to the annual congressional appropriations process as the Senate-passed bill indicated. www.alaskadispatch.com/article/don-young-credited-saving-alaska-railroad-drastic-cuts |
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Post by EGfleet on Aug 15, 2012 4:22:42 GMT -8
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Post by Dane on Sept 3, 2012 9:33:10 GMT -8
There is a new fiftieth anniversary logo for Alaska's Marine Highway. Apologies I cannot post it, I am mobile.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 3, 2012 10:21:04 GMT -8
There is a new fiftieth anniversary logo for Alaska's Marine Highway. Apologies I cannot post it, I am mobile. Here's the one for the half-fifty: AMHS 25th Anniversary flag.  - displayed in the museum at Stewart BC. |
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 3, 2012 14:51:24 GMT -8
Here is that shiny new AMHS 50th anniversary logo:  |
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Post by lmtengs on Sept 3, 2012 21:43:17 GMT -8
Here is that shiny new AMHS 50th anniversary logo: Now if only BCF could hire the same brand identity designers as AMHS... I really like their new logo. |
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Post by DENelson83 on Dec 12, 2012 16:13:44 GMT -8
I'm plotting the Alaska Marine Highway routes on OpenStreetMap, but I have a bit of a dearth of information. I'd like to know the exact route the ferry between Sitka and Juneau uses. Does it pass to the west of Kruzof Island; go through the Olga, Neva and Peril Straits; or loop around the southern tip of Baranof Island?
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Post by Name Omitted on Dec 12, 2012 21:41:54 GMT -8
I'm plotting the Alaska Marine Highway routes on OpenStreetMap, but I have a bit of a dearth of information. I'd like to know the exact route the ferry between Sitka and Juneau uses. Does it pass to the west of Kruzof Island; go through the Olga, Neva and Peril Straits; or loop around the southern tip of Baranof Island? East of Kruzof, up Neva Strait, cutting across Salisbury Sound (this part is way too short on a nice day, and WAY to long in bad weather), up Surgius Narrows and and Peril Straits, and into Chatham just south of Florence Bay on Chichagof. With the exception of the Fast Ferries, our ships can't do Surgius on a running tide. If they miss the tide, they wait, and it is sometimes difficult for the system to make up time. I have heard the Kennikot occasionally has gone south of Baranoff to avoid the tide altogether, but she is the only ocean rated ship that sails the Southeast for AMHS, and so is the only vessel that could do that. |
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Post by DENelson83 on Dec 12, 2012 23:31:24 GMT -8
That would take a bit too much time. East of Kruzof, up Neva Strait, cutting across Salisbury Sound (this part is way too short on a nice day, and WAY to long in bad weather), up Surgius Narrows and and Peril Straits, and into Chatham just south of Florence Bay on Chichagof. With the exception of the Fast Ferries, our ships can't do Surgius on a running tide. If they miss the tide, they wait, and it is sometimes difficult for the system to make up time. I have heard the Kennikot occasionally has gone south of Baranoff to avoid the tide altogether, but she is the only ocean rated ship that sails the Southeast for AMHS, and so is the only vessel that could do that. Thanks for the input. The Sitka-Juneau route is now plotted in OpenStreetMap. I'm in the process of plotting the entire Alaska Marine Highway network on that site. |
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Post by Name Omitted on Dec 14, 2012 11:23:59 GMT -8
Looks good.
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SolDuc
Voyager
West Coast Cyclist
SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
Posts: 2,055
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Post by SolDuc on Feb 13, 2013 16:24:46 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 13, 2013 17:17:28 GMT -8
That looks like the QE-II  |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 20, 2013 9:15:05 GMT -8
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887 
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 20, 2013 10:33:16 GMT -8
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Post by Name Omitted on Nov 27, 2013 14:37:37 GMT -8
There is a lot worth reading in the following; Budget cuts to impact ferry service; new vessels on track
- (not new) $10 Million in design costs remain for the Tustumena replacement, regardless of other budget issues. Total cost will be "several hundred million dollars."
- (more specific than previous, but not new) The Tusty replacement will probably have a similar overall look as the original, as her hull length is determined by sea-keeping, not passenger demand. She will be between 296 feet and 340 feet. It's implied that for sea-keeping abilities, they would prefer a 500 foot ferry, so probably closer to 340 feet.
- The second AK Class vessel is expected in 2016, at which point one of the mainliers (my speculation is the Mal) will be retired. That they ARE planning on retiring a mainliner is new, but not surprising.
- Replacing a mainliner with the two AK class ferries on the Lynn Canal is expected to save $7 Million in operating costs annually.
- Mainliners will continue to "supplement" Lynn Canal service once the ACF are in place.
- Final cost estimates for the ACF will be available soon, and should fall within the $118 Million currently allocated.
- There is a $3.5 Million operations funding gap to be made up.
- $2.2 Million in annual savings will come from service reductions
- Starting in July, Lituya's schedule will be cut from 12 hour days to 9 hour days
- Fairweather service to Stika begins in May rather than February (she is currently receiving new engines, so her February service date may have been a moot point anyway)
- Summer service between Juneau and Prince Rupert is set to start in July, not June.
- $1.1 Million is savings to come from the elimination of seasonal travel discounts
- The remaining savings will come from a eliminating travel agent commissions from in-state reservations, and not physically mailing out ferry schedules.
I will let moderators decide if I should put a bookmark from the Tustumena Replacement and ACF threads to here or just leave things as they are. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 24, 2014 16:10:01 GMT -8
The (formerly) floating AMHS dock at Skagway has sunk. News story (with 3 photos) HEREStory quote here: |
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