State says ferry repairs are on schedule, but COVID-19 concerns will delay return to service

Alaska Public Media | By Jacob Resneck

Published April 2, 2020 at 11:26 AM AKDT

A blue and white ferry in the left hand side of the image sails in foggy weather and a foggy mountain in the background — The Aurora, a 235-foot Alaska state ferry, approaches the dock in Whittier, its departure point for its trip across Prince William Sound to Cordova. (Nat Herz/Alaska Public Media)

Alaska Marine Highway System’s mainline service won’t be back up and running until mid-May. The ferries Columbia, Kennicott and Tustumena were scheduled to return to service later this month.

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According to a Wednesday media release from the Department of Transportation, the three vessels are on schedule to be overhauled by Vigor Alaska. But the ferry crews needed to provision the ships and to complete practice drills required for safety certifications have been sent home due to COVID-19 precautions.

Travel restrictions implemented by a number of Southeast Alaska villages has also lessened demand for passenger service. But the DOT says essential grocery deliveries will continue throughout the public health crisis, albeit at a reduced level.