MV Columbia (AMHS)

[SS Shasta]

According to unofficial reports, the damage to MV Columbia that forced AMHS to remove her from service in August is much more serious that first thought. Apparently there has been some major engine damage as well as the generator problems. MV Columbia is not scheduled to return to service on the Bellingham/SE Alaska route until next May. We shall see if that schedule is kept???

MV Columbia has been sort of a "hard luck" vessel since she entered service with AMHS. Serious breakdowns have been rather routine during her career which is in sharp contrast to the older Blue Canoe sisters.

[MV LeConte]

shasta said:

MV Chilkat also loaded/unloaded from the bow:

The Columbia is the Fleet Flagship, as she is the biggest and can carry the most passengers and vehicles. There is a small 4 lane car deck located above the main car deck. Access is provided by two vehicle elevators located in the outermost port and starboard lanes. It is quite the experience to ride up them in your vehicle. The last vehicles up remain on the lift for the voyage. As per Coast Guard Regulations all vehicle decks are off limits to passengers while underway. On the long hauls (basically Bellingham to Ketchikan), the crew provides supervised car deck calls approximately every 6 hours, so passengers can retrieve forgotten items, or let their pets out for a break.

Someone asked which ship is the "nicest." That is a tough call. I would have to say off hand that the Kennicott is probably the most comfortable. Since the ship was built in 1998, it has a lot of comforts that were built into the ship, whereas most of the rest of the fleet being built in the 60's and 70's seem to be more dated. The Kennicott also has active roll stabilization fins that can be deployed to help smooth out the ride. However, the Malaspina, and Taku just went through their big Federal renovation projects, and a lot of their public spaces have been modernized. Bigger nicer chairs in the public lounges, wireless internet available throughout the ship, etc... My suggestion is to ride as many as you can and figure that one out for yourself!

As for the door locations on the AMHS Fleet. The three sisters (Malaspina, Taku and Matanuska), the Columbia, the LeConte, and the Aurora all have a stern door and two side doors located forward (approximately under the bridge wings). The Aurora and LeConte also have stern ramps for servicing some of the smaller out-ports. The Kennicott has a stern door and two side doors located aft. The Tustumena has two side doors located aft only. The Kennicott and Tustumena also have elaborate vehicle elevators which are used to load vehicles in the Southwest ports. The Kennecott's elevator is built into the ship located within the large roll up garage doors located aft. The Tustumena's elevator equipment is mainly external (access to the car deck is through a large hatch in the boat deck), and is the large gantry looking set-up that can be seen aft. Difficult to explain but fascinating to watch! The fast ferries, the Fairweather and the Chenega have stern doors and one side door located forward on the Starboard side. Finally the Lityua has an open car deck with access from the stern and Starboard side.

As for boarding the vessels from various ports (I will only cover Southeast Alaska as that is what I am familiar with). The ports you board from the stern are, Bellingham (also has a separate passenger gangway), Prince Rupert, Angoon, and Pelican. The ports where you board through a side door are; Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Kake, Sitka, Tenakee (passengers only!), Hoonah, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and Yakutat.

I hope I answered most of your questions and I hope to see you out here soon!

[SS Shasta]

It is being reported in the JUNEAU EMPIRE that the AMHS flagship MV Columbia needs new engines. The vessel has been out of service several times in the past few years with a serious of electrical and mechanical issues. She was removed from her Bellingham/SE Alaska run last August because of such problems. To date, the Alaska Governor has not included funding in the proposed state budget for new engines.

[Low Light Mike]

shasta said:

It is being reported in the JUNEAU EMPIRE that the AMHS flagship MV Columbia needs new engines. The vessel has been out of service several times in the past few years with a serious of electrical and mechanical issues. She was removed from her Bellingham/SE Alaska run last August because of such problems. To date, the Alaska Governor has not included funding in the proposed state budget for new engines.

....so it sounds like MV Columbia might miss the entire 2008 season, including the busy summer. If the State hasn't budgeted the funds, this means delays. And if and when funds are approved, the engine-replacement can't happen in an instant....and so there will be more delays.

I think that summer-2008 will be another wake-up-call for West Coast gov't ferry fleets: ie. that replacing and maintaining ships is a very expensive business that needs to be properly funded. I think that the missing-Columbia for 2008 would indicate that Governments aren't willing or able to maintain current service levels any longer.

Too bad for all those who were planning on taking Bellingham-Ketchikan cruises this next summer.

I suspect they will use the MV Malaspina as a 1-ship route for the Bellingham route.....with reduced sailings for the summer. That would be similar to the lowered-service-level that the BC Ferries had for summer 2006 on the inside-passage.

[SS San Mateo]

From a ferry discussion group on Yahoo (only members can read messages there, so I can't post a direct link to the source)...

"Phil Spaulding's passing is surely the end of an era. I met Phillip Spaulding only once: during my stint as Legislative Counsel on the staff of the Alaska Legislature, I was counsel to the legislative committee looking into the contract for the construction of the M/V Columbia. After it's "maiden voyage" in May 1974, it was hauled out in dry dock at Lockheed to check the potential damage to the propellers. I have photos of Spaulding and others checking the props for "cavitation" damage; there was some. The ferry had vibrated very badly on the initial voyage, and continued to do so for a long time. Indeed, the Columbia was one of Spaulding's less successful designs (it's still operating -- the Europeans would have sold it off to the Bangladeshies years ago!). It has had its engines replaced and a
lot of other work done or re-done.

But, the M/V Columbia was a "political" vessel in the sense that the State of Alaska was under the gun to replace the Scandinavian-built M/V Wickersham (ex-Stena Britannica) that then Gov. Wally Hickel had bought in 1967 and hoped to get exempted from Jones Act provisions that preclude a foreign-built bottom from plying between American ports. So, the Columbia was hurriedly built by Lockheed to replace the "Wicky" that was under a temporary Jones Act exemption while the new ferry was under construction. Lockheed also was building USCG ice breakers in the next two dry docks. (Rumor had it that the welders were being trained on the Columbia, then shifted to the USCG ships!) In any event, then Gov. Bill Egan was very anxious to get the Columbia under way as soon as possible so it would be as backdrop for his 1974 campaign for re-election against then State Sen. Jay S. Hammond. When launched, the superstructure was chained to the hull; the chain nearly broke as the vessel went down the ways. And, things went downhill from there. There were a lot of features on that and subsequent ferries that were pretty pedestrian, and did not follow the more avante garde designs favored by the European marine architects. And, Gov. Bill Egan lost the election anyway to Jay Hammond by a handful of votes. Story has it that many folks in S.E. Alaska liked the Wickersham; by that time, the Columbia had proven to be a construction disaster. The close precincts in Petersburg and elsewhere on the Inside Passage were enough to do in Bill Egan (who was, in many respects, the "George Washington" of Alaska)."

[SS Shasta]

Yes, MV Columbia has certainly been a hard luck ship in her service with AMHS. The most recent information that I have heard is that she will be up and running this coming summer on the Bellingham-SE Alaska run. She is still being listed as departing Ketchikan for Bellingham on 7 May 2008.

I would assume that a planned to replace her engines would not begin until next winter, even if funded for the new FY. Crew members, on MV Malaspina told me last week coming up from Bellingham, that repairs are continuing with much of the work being accomplished by AMHS engineers. One mentioned that she is at a yard in Portland, but I don't know for sure.

[Northern Exploration]

I have always wanted to sail on the Columbia. But her track record of problems would mean you wouldn't want to sail on her if you were on a tight schedule.

[Mill Bay]

This has really piqued my interest in the Columbia. With regard to the fact that she seems to have been a less than successful Spaulding design: can anyone provide more in depth information on the development of the Columbia's design and some of the faults incorporated into it.

[Low Light Mike]

from Sit News:
====================
tinyurl.com/ywoxv5


Viewpoints
One Bellingham boat all summer
By Trygve Westergard
December 26, 2007

I was just looking at the summer schedule for the Alaska Marine Highway and noticed there was only one mainline boat running to Bellingham. I can't believe with the money being so tight that we are taking away one of the two boats on the money making run.

All I ever hear about are the ferries costing so much money to run and here we take one of the biggest money makers off line and run it on the North Lynn Canal run and then take the Fairweather off the North Lynn Canal run (which is what the boat was designed to run) and run it to Sitka 5 days a week (a huge loss).

What are we doing? Trying to destroy the ferry system? I believe a day boat system would work but we still need the main line ferries running to Bellingham. Many people can't or don't want to drive through Canada and with only one boat running to Bellingham it will be over sold every trip. Last summer both boats were full now we are only going to run one?

Just a thought, maybe we the people need to voice our opinions and try to save the ferry system. With a little smarts in running it maybe it won't be such a loss in money!

Trygve Westergard
Ketchikan, AK


About: "Licenced Mate"

Received December 24, 2007 - Published December 26, 2007
========================

[SS Shasta]

flugelhorn said:

from Sit News:
====================
tinyurl.com/ywoxv5


Viewpoints
One Bellingham boat all summer
By Trygve Westergard
December 26, 2007

I was just looking at the summer schedule for the Alaska Marine Highway and noticed there was only one mainline boat running to Bellingham. I can't believe with the money being so tight that we are taking away one of the two boats on the money making run.

All I ever hear about are the ferries costing so much money to run and here we take one of the biggest money makers off line and run it on the North Lynn Canal run and then take the Fairweather off the North Lynn Canal run (which is what the boat was designed to run) and run it to Sitka 5 days a week (a huge loss).

What are we doing? Trying to destroy the ferry system? I believe a day boat system would work but we still need the main line ferries running to Bellingham. Many people can't or don't want to drive through Canada and with only one boat running to Bellingham it will be over sold every trip. Last summer both boats were full now we are only going to run one?

Just a thought, maybe we the people need to voice our opinions and try to save the ferry system. With a little smarts in running it maybe it won't be such a loss in money!

Trygve Westergard
Ketchikan, AK


About: "Licenced Mate"

Received December 24, 2007 - Published December 26, 2007
========================

Haven't heard anything about this. The AMHS Web Site was updated today to say that the Summer Schedule 2008 will be available on line in Mid February and a printed schedule will be available in Mid March. Their draft plan still lists MV Columbia going back in service on 7 May and MV Malaspina on 11 May. MV Malaspina will be out of service for maintenance during March and April according to the draft.

[Gail]

Best Cabin? My wife and I plan on coming south on the Columbia next September, if it is running by that time, and wonder if anyone has suggestions for the best cabin. Best view, best privacy, etc. Thanks

bryank said:

Posted by pnwtraveler on Today at 10:22am

Yeah I never got as far as checking the bus service from Anacortes to Bellingham. And it would be too exorbinant in a taxi. At one point a friend from Portland who had never been on the Inside Passage was going to join me. We could have left my rental car in Bellingham and his car at Anacortes or vice versa. Until a job change for him moved him to Dallas.

It is possible to get from Anacortes to Bellingham by local transit bus, but it requires 3 buses to do it. Not my idea of fun at the end of a trip.

Skagit Transit: www.skagittransit.org/index.cfm?pageID=2259

I was actually sort of surprised at how limited the options are for geting into or out of Anacortes without a car.

There's also a touristy passenger ferry from Victoria to Bellingham and from Friday Harbor to Bellingham on a seasonal basis. Probably not too convenient, though. www.whales.com/

[yvr]

From this thread it appears the MV Columbia's main engines are BER ( Beyond Economical Repair). Do any members / guests know what horsepower the current Enterprise engines are rated at? If new engines are required, it would seem that opening up the car deck and winching them out would be the way to go. So what do new Wartsila's, or MAK's cost, and what is their lead time? What does a dual engine replacement cost at the Portland, or Ketchikan ship yards? The positive news - with new engines they should have improved fuel consumption!

[yvr]

A small error in the above posting. I forgot our American friends probably
would not allow Wartsila engines. Not when CAT (an American company) has an affilition with MAK - yah all.

[Barnacle]

Several WSF boats have had Warthogs in the past... the Steel-Electrics, for four.

[SS Shasta]

The latest "story" circulating up here is that MV Columbia will be running this summer, but MV Malaspina will not. This would indicate that any decision to cut service to Bellingham to one vessel would be political and not based on MV Columbia's on-going mechanical problems. It is stupid to even discuss such an idea as both vessels are packed with passengers and vehicles during the summer months. I understand that this is the only AMHS route that makes money. Unfortunately AMHS or Alaska DOT has not released any official information on the issue so apparently sparks will fly when the Legislature meets later this month.

With recent and on-going changes in homeland security, this route becomes even more popular. Many Alaskans traveling to the lower 48 want to avoid the added complications of crossing into Canada and see the Bellingham run as a good alternative. This makes such discussions about service cuts even more stupid. I'm sure that plenty of feathers will fly on this one!

[SS Shasta]

According to local news reports this morning AMHS MV Columbia's return to service in May will be delayed again by at least a week. This is a hard luck vessel. With the 2008 AMHS Summer Schedule, she is to be the only vessel on the Bellingham route this summer.

[queenofcowichan]

I did hear the mv Matanuska on the scanner last nite, Victoria Traffic was giving her a Traffic update as she was sailing Northbound at the Thrasher Rocks area. Did not stay up late last night therefore missed her Ballenas Island call.

[Deleted]

Looks like the Columbia wouldn't be returning to service on time. My question is where is she getting her work done on her? Portland or Ketchikan?

SitNews ©2008
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

AMHS revises ferry Columbia's return to service date

May 16, 2008
Friday

In order to meet U.S. Coast Guard safety standards and receive a certificate of inspection (COI) from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Portland, Oregon officials, the motor vessel Columbia will remain out of the Alaska Marine Highway System service until May 21 according to the system's general manager.

"We're in complete partnership with the Coast Guard and the shipyard workers to have a lightweight survey finished and receive the required COI before Columbia sets sail to Alaska with passengers and vehicles," said Capt. John Falvey, General Manager, AMHS. The required Coast Guard deadweight testing is designed to determine the ship's lightweight condition. Prior to commencing the test, all personnel and portable equipment and machinery must be removed from Columbia. After the testing is completed, the vessel is reloaded.

"Obviously, all of the movement of shipyard workers, crew and equipment off and onto the vessel takes time and creates time delays, setting Columbia slightly off schedule," Falvey said. "We know Columbia is safe, but at the same time, we're not about to ever put a price tag on passenger safety aboard any of Alaska's ferries."

Falvey said that shipyard workers worked throughout the night Thursday, and that Coast Guard officials agreed to continue their inspection process through the weekend to expedite the COI process.

During the schedule revision, the motor vessel Matanuska will remain on the Bellingham run for an additional week, and its Prince Rupert, British Columbia passenger and vehicle traffic will be transferred to other vessels.

"Columbia's passengers won't be affected by this unexpected delay, but it will hamper travel plans for Matanuska riders who made reservations between May 17th and the 21st," said newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Marine Operations Jim Beedle. "At this point it's very important that those folks check with our reservations representatives to allow us to rearrange their itinerary to suit their travel needs."

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
www.dot.state.ak.us

[SS Shasta]

This is a interesting situation. AMHS felt some heat late last year when they removed "old reliable" MV Malaspina from the Bellingham route to become a Skagway-Haines-Juneau day boat this summer. The MV Malaspina will make two RT runs per day on that route and one wonders if there is actually that much traffic going to Juneau to support such a decision. The decision seems clearly political.

That said........MV Columbia has always been a "hard luck" ship with frequent breakdowns. Serious electrical fires and generator problems put her out of service during the busy summer season for the past two years. I understand that she has been in Portland for several months undergoing a major overhaul. Information has been very scant on this overhaul. We shall see what happens next.

I have tickets to come down on her from Ketchikan to Bellingham on the week of 26 May. It's been years since I have been on board as I have always booked on the Malaspina. I remember Columbia as a "rough riding ship" with lots of engine vibration and noise. It will be interesting to see if improvements have actually been made.

[SS Shasta]

SHE IS BACK. The AMHS MV Columbia actually arrived in Ketchikan this morning to return to service on the SE Alaska-Bellingham route. She sails at 5PM tonight for Bellingham.



MV Columbia in Portland, Oregon dry dock during her recent and lengthy overhaul.

[Northern Exploration]

That is a really nice photo! Great perspective.

[FNS]

Now, that's one shiny ship! They must have received a tip from the British on how they paint the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA. So elegant!!

And, a smiling face for the fish to look at.

[mapcat]

Hello,

I'm planning my first trip on the AMHS in June, and will be taking the MV Columbia to Bellingham. The schedule says we should be arriving at 8:00--how exact is that? How long does it typically take to get off the ferry in Bellingham? We're bringing a small SUV, and don't have any special needs.

Thanks for your help!
-mapcat

[FNS]

I have seen this operation. In 1989. This was in Seattle. It does take quite awhile to unload her, especially if your car is on the upper storage deck. They use elevators to raise and lower cars from that deck, usually one at a time. The Main Deck should go relatively quickly. I believe that you are expected to hold on to your ticket at all times during the sailing and be ready to show it as you drive off in Bellingham (I saw this inspection done in Seattle).

You will be unloading through the stern in Bellingham.

Enjoy your sail aboard the MV COLUMBIA!

[mapcat]

Thanks ferrynutseattle! I'm definitely looking forward to the trip. Once in Washington I hope to take the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor too.

That's one of the reasons I was writing, so I could know which sailing to F.H. to plan on taking. When you say "quite awhile" or "relatively quickly", do you mean 1 hour, 3 hours, or even longer than that? And is there a way to request the main deck? We will be boarding in Juneau.

Most of the ferries I've taken before are really small (mostly crossing the Mississippi River) so "relatively quickly" in that case is about 5 min!

Thanks again!