Juneau and Haines have lost a ferry sailing for the second time in three days. Skagway also lost one sailing.
High winds, heavy seas and freezing spray sent the Aurora back to the capital city’s Auke Bay ferry terminal this morning. The weather also kept the ferry in port on Sunday.
Alaska Marine Highway spokesman Jeremy Woodrow says gale-force winds and low temperatures meant saltwater spray froze on the ship’s lifesaving equipment.
“(That’s) why it has to turn around. In case there was an emergency on board they wouldn’t be able to deploy their lifeboats,” he says.
The ferry was able to sail Monday because the destination was Gustavus. Woodrow says that route had calmer weather.
Northern Lynn Canal has other marine highway service this week. The larger ferry Malaspina called in Haines and Skagway on Monday. The Taku is on the same route Thursday.
The 300-passenger Aurora is filling in for its sister ferry on northern Southeast routes this winter.
“The LeConte is in Ketchikan, going through an overhaul. So the Aurora is in northern Southeast right now and it’s the replacement for the time being,” Woodrow says.
That vessel is scheduled to return to service May 1.
