"Marine Transportation Advisory Board"

The new board tasked with revitalizing Alaska’s state-run ferry system met for the first time on Feb. 11.

Dunleavy, a Republican, has targeted the ferry system for deep budget cuts during his two years as governor. But the new bill is aimed at sharpening the marine highway’s strategy.

Amid a months-long ferry drought, the town of Pelican got a bit of good news this week — the ferry LeConte will make at least one stop there in the spring. 

The Dunleavy administration commissioned the report last spring and received it in the fall. But the state wouldn’t release it until Wednesday’s Marine Transportation Advisory Board meeting.

Lawmakers cut the ferry budget by $43.6 million dollars rather than risk losing it altogether.

State officials confirm the fast ferry Fairweather will be removed from service this month. It’s part of a plan to sell both fast ferries in advance of a $250,000 ferry system study commissioned by the Dunleavy administration.

Reps. Louise Stutes and Bryce Edgmon — both boosters of the state-funded ferry service — called Tuesday’s meeting in advance of cost-cutting efforts by Gov. Michael Dunleavy.

Shirley Marquardt is the new executive director of the Alaska Marine Highway. She’s a former Southwest Alaska mayor with decades of experience with coastal businesses.

The Tazlina is the first of two new Alaska Class ferries that the Ketchikan Vigor Alaska shipyard is building for the state. Its two halves are complete and welded together, and shipyard workers are busy getting interior spaces done.

The marine highway is moving ahead with plans to sell or scrap the ferry Taku. But it’s keeping its options open for a second sidelined ship, the Chenega.