The 418-foot flagship Columbia will be back online in November for the first time since it was sidelined to save money in 2019.
"Lituya"
People entering Alaska by land and sea must follow the state’s travel policy. Here are the rules.
Travelers entering Alaska by land or sea from out of state are required to complete COVID-19 testing procedures and travel declaration forms, state officials said on Saturday. The requirements have already been in place for about two weeks in several Alaska airports. “We wanted to make sure we have a process for those travelers that…
New COVID-19 rules in place for Alaska’s ferries, including testing, mask wearing and social distancing
Passengers on Alaska’s mainline ferries are now being required to get a COVID-19 test before traveling.
No one on state ferries — passengers or crew — required to wear masks
Masks and other face coverings won’t be made mandatory for passengers and crew aboard state ferries.
Ferry Matanuska sailings canceled through mid-April
Service on the ferry Matanuska, the Alaska Marine Highway’s sole operating mainliner this winter, has yet to begin. Transportation officials have announced more cancellations through the middle of April, when the Columbia is expected back in service.
Alaska Marine Highway shuts down regional service till March
Aside from the ferry Lituya, which shuttles between Ketchikan and Metlakatla, the entire Alaska Marine Highway System fleet will be idle until March.
Dunleavy administration seeks $12M for struggling Alaska Marine Highway
All but the Alaska Marine Highway System’s smallest ship — the shuttle ferry Lituya that runs between Ketchikan and Metlakatla — is either down for repairs or laid up to save money.
Dunleavy’s ferry budget ‘will provide significantly less service’
Senior state transportation officials warn that long gaps will be the new normal.