The Alaska Marine Highway System’s proposed winter ferry schedule has just one ferry serving Southeast Alaska’s main route – sailing north to south once a week through the inner channels from Skagway to Bellingham, Washington. It’s a similar schedule to last year’s and it leaves some communities out.
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Kake’s 550 residents live on the northwest side of Kupreanof Island. The proposed winter ferry schedule would have a ferry stop in Kake just once a month.
“It’s the same as what it has been for several years for us. No service to Kake, basically,” said Llyod Davis, mayor of Kake.
Davis was speaking at a June 26 virtual meeting for the state’s Department of Transportation about the proposed schedule.
“For our elders that struggle to get up climb on and off a plane, sometimes they just, they miss their appointments,” said Davis. “They miss these trips and whatnot because they’re gonna wait for that ferry because they can’t get on and off on those planes and the high costs we pay to fly around out of Kake.”
Southeast Alaska residents relied on ferries for transportation for decades. Throughout the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s multiple mainline ferries sailed the region. But the service has been dramatically scaled back with an aging, high-maintenance fleet and short staffing. And flying isn’t an easy alternative.
“Flights to and from our community are very expensive,” said Anji Gallanos, Kake’s superintendent and principal.
Ferries used to be the first choice to transport students to and from regional events. But Gallanos testified that the school district had to budget $130,000 next year for travel by plane, even in tight budget times.
“We rely on the ferry system to help our students and encourage our students to participate in sports and student activities which are critical for their development and for their learning,” Gallanos said. “So, we’re just advocating and imploring the ferry service to please include more than a one-time monthly service to Kake.”
Sitka is also off the beaten path when it comes to ferry service. Located on the outer shores of Baranof Island, it’s scheduled to get one ferry stop per week, either north or south.
Melissa Wileman is with Sitka’s municipal government. In the past, Sitkans used ferries to bring bulk items back from Juneau. Now, she said she feels like a broken record, constantly advocating for more service.
“I’m really frustrated this year with the lack of ferries northbound,” Wileman said. “It’s pretty devastating to our community, not being able to, you know, get to Juneau the expenses here and Sitka, are astronomical, and it’s really hurting our community.”
In the northern part of the region, Yakutat hasn’t had enough ferries in recent years, according to Police Chief John Waldron. That trend is expected to continue – Yakutat is not on the schedule this coming winter. With limited local options, Waldron said they need ferries to get their vehicles serviced – barging a truck costs upwards of $5,000 one way.
“I just would love to see the Kennicott, even if it’s once a month, stopping in Yakutat on the northbound and then the opposite month coming down and stopping in southbound,” Waldron said. “Even if it’s you know, once or twice, it gives us some ability to get some vehicles in and out.”
Some Southeast residents who testified at the public hearing proposed changes to the ferry schedule, like adding additional stops in Kake, Sitka and Yakutat. State ferry representatives say they are considering those comments and plan to have a completed winter schedule by the end of July.
