The Alaska Marine Highway System announced today that the M/V
LeConte, currently undergoing repair work to its propulsion shafts in
Seattle, is expected to return to its regular route in early January.
The vessel will add a January 6 stop at Pelican to its schedule.
“We are pleased by the pace of work being accomplished on the propulsion
shafts in Seattle,” said Captain John Falvey, AMHS General Manager.
“Essentially, the problem has been with the fittings for the couplings
on the shafts being worn. Todd Shipyard workers have been able to
refurbish those couplings and we expect the work to be finished around
the 26th , with the vessel sailing for Bellingham on the 27th . After
final work and Coast Guard certification, provisioning and refueling
will take place, and she will sail from Bellingham by the morning of the
30th .”
Falvey said the LeConte would resume its schedule upon its return to
Southeast Alaska, but exactly where in its route it would pick up the
schedule would depend on when it gets here. He said AMHS has added a
stop in Pelican on January 6.
“We had contracted for replacement service to Pelican with the Lite
Weight, a privately-operated landing craft, for Tuesday, December 20,”
Falvey said. “Unfortunately, stormy weather prevented that sailing. So,
Pelican will be more than ready for the LeConte to return to their
community.”
Normally, the LeConte would have visited Pelican twice in December,
but the community has been without service since December 2, shortly
before the LeConte’s shaft problem became apparent.