The Alaska Marine Highway System announced that the MV
Taku has not been able to leave Ketchikan, due to mechanical problems.
The Taku was expected to sail from Ketchikan Monday night to fill in
for the MV Columbia, also stuck in Ketchikan with a mechanical
problem. Passengers who anticipated taking the Taku north or south
from Juneau will not be able to do so at this time.
“We had expected to be able to bring the Taku on-line in fairly short
order, but we are experiencing a steering and control problem with her
that has held up bringing her back into service,” said Captain John
Falvey, AMHS general manager. “In the meantime, however, we are making
good progress on the Columbia’s starboard engine and hope to conduct
sea trials with that vessel on Friday. Our goal is to sail north with
the Columbia on Friday, get it caught up on moving the many delayed
passengers on to their destinations, and turn it around in time for its
regularly scheduled southbound run from Skagway on Monday.”
Falvey acknowledged that the mechanical problems of the two ferries have
been a big inconvenience for many passengers, both northbound and
southbound.
“We would like to extend our apologies to every one of our customers who
has been affected by these delays,” he said. “The ferry propulsion,
steering and control systems are fairly complicated, and while we did
not anticipate having the combination of issues with these vessels we
are now in the midst of, we are working 24-7 to resolve those problems.
We want the traveling public to be confident that the Alaska Marine
Highway vessels they will be riding on are safe, reliable, and ready for
the work we require of them. We appreciate the patience shown by
everyone affected.”