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Kennicott to Provide Aleutian Chain Service

Press Release Contact: Jeremy Woodrow, 907-465-8994, Jeremy.Woodrow@alaska.gov

(JUNEAU, Alaska) –The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) today announced that the M/V Kennicott will sail the Aleutian chain run this spring in relief of the M/V Tustumena.

The M/V Tustumena will be delayed resuming service due to additional necessary repairs discovered during its Federal Capital Improvement Project this winter. The ferry, which normally sails the “chain run,” was scheduled to begin service April 20. AMHS now estimates the vessel to begin service in June.

“It’s unfortunate that the Tustumena will be delayed providing service to the chain this spring,” said AMHS General Manager Captain John Falvey. “Our staff will do the best we can to accommodate affected travelers, communities and businesses.”

The M/V Kennicott, which normally sails between Bellingham, Wash. and Southcentral Alaska, will sail a modified spring schedule to accommodate affected travelers throughout the region. The new sailing schedule for the M/V Kennicott will include one Aleutian chain run in April and another in May. The ferry will also provide service to Kodiak to support the May crab festival. AMHS staff is in the process of rebooking passengers and an updated schedule will be available online within the week.

Due to the size of the M/V Kennicott, the ferry will not be able to sail in relief to Akutan, False Pass, Chignik, Ouzinkie, Old Harbor and Port Lions.

“The Tustumena is truly a unique vessel and no other ferry in the state is capable of serving all of the communities that it calls on,” said Captain Falvey. “Fortunately the Kennicott can provide some relief while we work to get the Tustumena back online as soon as possible

An updated schedule will be available online within the week at FerryAlaska.com where travelers may book their travel on the rerouted ferry. AMHS staff is contacting affected passengers; for more information, please call your local terminal or the AMHS central reservations office at 1-907-465-3941 or toll free at 1-800-642-0066.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”