M/V LeConte Delayed in Returning to Service

The M/V LeConte will be late returning to its schedule in northern Southeast Alaska due to a one-day delay in finishing up work on the vessel’s annual overhaul in Ketchikan. LeConte will begin sea trials with the U.S. Coast Guard for its re-certification on Thursday morning. Its exact time to return to service depends on the results of the sea trials, as well as tides in Wrangell Narrows. “We cut the vessel’s normal six-week overhaul to five weeks, and have not quite made that goal,” said Capt. John Falvey, general manager of the Alaska Marine Highway System. “We have provided good coverage with our vessels and contract vessels of the LeConte’s route, all except for Pelican, which had its last visit in early October. Our objective is to get the LeConte back in service tomorrow and to Pelican as soon as humanly possible.” “We hope the delay will not be longer than 12 hours; however, that depends on Coast Guard certification and when the vessel will be able to leave Ketchikan,” Falvey said. “We will put out a revised schedule on Thursday, once some of these unknowns become known.” During the overhaul period, the M/V Taku has provided passenger and car deck service to Kake and Hoonah, while the M/V /St. Aquilina has provided passenger service to Kake, Angoon, Hoonah, and Tenakee. The M/V Lite Weight has provided fill in vehicle transport service to Angoon.