The Marine Highway 40th Anniversary

Press Information

1963- 2003 The Alaska Marine Highway 40th Anniversary

ALASKA’S MARINE HIGHWAY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

On January 23, 1963, the newly completed M/V Malaspina arrived in Ketchikan, marking the day as the official first day of the Alaska Marine Highway. On January 23, 2003, the Alaska Marine Highway marks the day as the official beginning of a year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Over the years, the system’s fleet has grown from the three vessels during its first year of operation to its current fleet of nine ships, including two ocean-going vessels, the M/V Tustumena and the M/V Kennicott, the fleet’s newest ship. In 2004, the Marine Highway anticipates the addition of the first high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry to be built in the United States, the M/V Fairweather.

“We’ll be doing a good deal of celebrating over the coming year,” said Captain George Capacci, general manager of the system. “There will be celebrations, commemorations and special promotions – from continuing the Sailabration for our National Scenic Byway designation … to unveiling our 40th anniversary poster.

“When all is said and done, however, what I’m most proud of are the men and women who have built and worked on this system over the past 40 years. I’m especially looking forward to honoring them and their achievements over the coming year.”

For more information about the Alaska Marine Highway’s 40th anniversary Sailabration, visit the web at www.FerryAlaska.com, or call 907-465-3941 or toll free at 800-642-0066.

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Media contacts: Sharon Gaiptman, Marketing Manager [email protected] 907/465-6643 (cell: 907-321-3028) The Alaska Marine Highway – A Timeline

October 1942 The Alaska Highway, which links Alaska to Canada and the conti- nental United States is completed

May 1948 A privately owned ferry system called Chilkoot Motorship Lines is initiated to link Haines and the Alaska Highway to Juneau, capital of the

June 1951 The territorial government purchases Chilkoot Motorship Lines, including its sole vessel, the M/V Chilkoot, for $40,000

October 1955 The territorial government proposes to replace the inadequate M/V Chilkoot with a new vessel that will carry 59 passengers and 15 autos on daily runs between Haines and Juneau

April 1957 The new vessel, christened the M/V Chilkat, goes into service

January 1959 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the declaration making Alaska the 49th state; ownership of the Alaska ferry system transfers to the new State of Alaska

January 1963 The state’s new marine highway system, which is established to provide service between communities in the as well as Homer, Seldovia and Kodiak, receives the first of three new ves- sels, the M/V Malaspina; the M/V Malaspina was greeted by some 3,000 people in Ketchikan and 4,000 in Juneau when she made her inaugural calls to those ports

April 1963 The second vessel, the M/V Taku, is delivered to the System

May 1963 Alaska’s Marine Highway is overwhelmed with advance reservations as residents and visitors clamored to experience it; plans for con- struction of the System’s next vessel begin

June 1963 The third vessel, the M/V Matanuska, is delivered to the System; M/V Matanuska’s delivery to the System marks the beginning of three-ship service from Prince Rupert to Skagway

December 1963 The Marine Highway’s newest vessel, the M/V Tustumena, is launched The Alaska Marine Highway – A Timeline

December 1967 Weekly service from to Ketchikan is initiated, marking the Marine Highway’s first link to the “Lower 48”; inauguration of this service prompts the immediate need for another large ferry, which is later purchased from Sweden

June 1968 The Stena Britannica, Alaska’s newest ferry, is delivered from Sweden to Seattle and renamed the M/V Wickersham

July 1969 The M/V E.L. Bartlett is delivered to Alaska for service to communi- ties in

November 1971 Alaskan voters approve a $21 million bond issue to complete the system’s next vessel, the M/V Columbia, and plans are laid for another, smaller ferry to serve the northern Inside Passage commu- nities

May 1974 After numerous delays, the M/V Columbia is finally delivered to Alaskan waters; the smaller vessel, the M/V LeConte, comes into service as well

February 1976 The M/V Matanuska begins her 1,000th voyage to Alaska on February 24

June 1977 The M/V Aurora, a sister vessel of the M/V LeConte, appears on the schedule providing service out of Ketchikan in southern

January 1982 Cabin space on Alaska ferry trips for the coming summer season sells out in two days’ time as Alaska’s tourism industry begins to grow

September 1988 Seattle’s lease on the southern terminus of the ferry system expires, and after an aggressive marketing campaign, Bellingham, Washington is selected as the new southern home of Alaska’s Marine Highway System

October 1989 The new ferry terminal in Bellingham is completed

Summer 1998 The System’s newest vessel, the M/V Kennicott, is delivered to Alaska The Alaska Marine Highway – A Timeline

August 2002 Construction begins on the M/V Fairweather, the System’s first fast vehicle ferry, which together with plans for the M/V Chenega, also a fast vehicle ferry, will cost the state nearly $68 million. Completion of the M/V Faiweather is slated for summer 2004; the M/V Chenega is due to be in service in Alaska in 2005

February 2003 Construction begins on a new ferry that will provide dedicated service between the communities of Metlakatla and Ketchikan beginning in 2004 Welcome Aboard Alaska’s Unforgettable Marine Highway

An Alaska Marine Highway vessel plies the fjords of the Inside Passage. Welcome Aboard Alaska’s Unforgettable Marine Highway

The adventure of traveling Alaska’s Marine Highway is an experience that will long remain a fond memory. It is an opportunity to experience Alaska up close and at your own pace. “Driving” Alaska’s Marine Highway means a customized itinerary, personally planned to provide each traveler with a unique and special Alaskan adventure. An Alaska Marine Highway trip means the flexibility to stop to explore the many ports of call along the way – from our ports of call in Alaska’s coastal communities and north to the interior regions of Alaska and the Yukon.

In addition to its primary ports of call, Marine Highway vessels pass fishing and logging outposts and small villages, which offer visitors the opportunity to see Alaska’s bustling maritime world up close, all while seeing whales, dolphin, sea otters, bald eagles and perhaps even bears. All of the Alaska Marine Highway vessels feature forward observation lounges and solari- ums for viewing spectacular scenery and wildlife. With abundant beauty and historic significance, it is no wonder Alaska’s Marine Highway was designated a National Scenic Byway in June of 2002.

While we get you right up next to the rugged The Alaska Marine Highway is a rainforests of coastal Alaska, traveling by ferry is proud chapter in U.S. marine history. a comfortable yet affordable indulgence. Gift shops offer souvenirs and informative books about Alaska. They also feature travel essen- tials, magazines and other goods. Several vessels offer entertaining and informative pro- grams to acquaint travelers with Alaska and its natural history. U.S. Forest Service and Fish & Wildlife lecturers are often on board to share information about marine life, birds, plants, and other sights along the way. Some vessels have theater areas that show films and documentaries about Alaska and the outdoors. Many ships also have card rooms, small video arcades, reading rooms and toddler play areas for passenger enjoyment.

Cabins with bunk beds are available on most vessels to provide basic sleeping and resting space. These private rooms vary in size by vessel from 2-berth cabins to 4-berth cabins Welcome Aboard Alaska’s Unforgettable Marine Highway

with a sitting room. Many cabins have complete bathroom facilities including showers. The M/V Kennicott also offers small, economical two-berth roomettes, ideal for those trav- eling on a budget and desiring privacy. Travelers are advised to make reservations early to ensure cabins are available, especially during the busy summer months.

Many public areas also serve as sleeping space for those traveling without a cabin. Comfortable reclining chairs are found aboard all vessels for daytime viewing and relaxing, as well as overnight rest. Passengers may choose to sleep in sleeping bags in the heated solariums found on each ship. Public showers are available on most vessels. Each Alaska Marine Highway vessel is unique in deck plan and on-board amenities.

Food is never out of reach due to the meal and beverage service in cafeterias on board. Healthful “Walk-on” passengers enjoy the hot and cold meals including salads, sandwiches flexibility of ferry travel. and Alaska seafood are served throughout the day. Most vessels also have cocktail lounges featuring Alaskan-brewed beer and mixed drinks. Travelers may also bring their own food onboard.

Traveling with a motor vehicle or bicycle is easy on Alaska’s Marine Highway. Each year, thousands combine an Alaska road system adventure with the coastal experience available only on the Marine Highway by reserving space on the ferry’s car deck for their vehicle. This affords them the option to get off the vessel at any port and drive or ride to nearby attractions. Reservations should be made early to ensure car deck space availability.

Driving Alaska’s Marine Highway is a unique, unforgettable experience. For more infor- mation or to make your reservations, visit Alaska online at www.FerryAlaska.com or call toll free 800-642-0066. Intermodal Madness!

Alaska Marine Highway passengers enjoy the sun and scenery from the many incredible vantage points onboard the ferry. Intermodal Madness!

Alaska is a place where there are more mountains than buildings, more glaciers than stop- lights and more wildlife than people. Sightseeing is spectacular no matter where you go in Alaska, but what many people don’t know is that how you go can be just as rewarding.

Alaska’s unique geography makes it conducive to many types of travel. Whether you go by sea, rail or regular rubber tire, you won’t be disappointed.

One great way to experience this richness is to “walk on” to one of the Alaska Marine Highway ferries in Bellingham, Wash. or Prince Rupert, . Walk on pas- sengers travel the Inside Passage to Alaska’s gateway communities of Skagway, Haines, Seward or Whittier without a vehicle, allowing them the flexibility to get off at any of the charming seaside communities along the way to explore, hike, shop or enjoy cultural attractions.

Once you’ve reached your northern destination on the ferry system (a three- to four-day trip from either of the system’s southernmost ports), board a train to reach the vast expanse of Alaska’s mainland.

In Skagway, the historic Whitepass & Yukon Route train takes you along the route once used by ambi- tious gold seekers clamoring for the Yukon gold fields at the turn of the 20th century. Once you arrive at the train’s terminus in Fraser, BC, jump on a bus headed north along the famed Alaska Highway to Tok, where you can head north to Alaska Marine Highway ferries Fairbanks or west to Anchorage. If you choose can accommodate even large RVs, Whittier or Seward as your final destination on the making travel by ferry the most ferry system, you can board on the of the Alaska convenient way to see coastal Alaska and still have the freedom Railroad’s trains bound for Anchorage, Denali to drive. National Park and Preserve, and, ultimately, Intermodal Madness!

Fairbanks. Out of Haines, regular bus service or car rentals link you to the Alaska Highway and points north.

All of Alaska’s communities feature air travel options as well. Whether through regular commercial carriers or small regional airlines, the towns and villages that aren’t touched by roads are also a unique option for the intermodal traveler.

Take these suggestions and form your northbound itinerary, or reverse it! Fly into one of Alaska’s transportation hubs like Anchorage or Fairbanks and use planes, trains and auto- mobiles to get you south to the ferry system and a personalized cruise through the famed Inside Passage. Expand your options by renting a motorhome or car to take with you on the ferry. Alaska Marine Highway ferries accommodate vehicles of all sizes. Bringing your “home” with you allows you to set your own schedule, and facilities in most Alaskan towns are plentiful.

However you choose to experience Alaska, the beauty and wonder that is the Last Frontier is within your reach. For help with trip planning or for more information about any of the methods mentioned above, simply contact your one-stop travel information center, www.travelalaska.com. Other contact information: Alaska Marine Highway: www.FerryAlaska.com BC Ferries: www.bcferries.bc.ca Alaska Railroad: www.akrr.com White Pass & Yukon Route: www.whitepassrailroad.com The Alaska Marine Highway – Route Maps

When Alaska became a state in 1959, ownership of the ferry system transferred to the state. The vessels are painted Alaska’s signature blue and gold to match the state flag. System Route Map Southeastern Alaska Southwestern Alaska The Alaska Marine Highway Fleet

Alaska Marine Highway ferries serve thousands of miles of coastal Alaska from Ketchikan in the southernmost portion of the Inside Passage to the in western Alaska. The Alaska Marine Highway Fleet

The M/V Fairweather will be the Alaska Marine Highway System’s first fast vehicle ferry. The main deck will have interior seating for 150 passengers in the observation lounge and 109 in the midship area, as well as exterior seating in the solarium. The interior space will have a combination of reclining airline-style seats and table arrangements, with dedicated areas for work/study, video games and a full service snack bar. The cargo deck will hold 35 vehicles. Service speed: 32 knots.

The Fairweather’s designer is Nigel Gee & Associates (NGA), a British naval architecture firm that has many years of high-speed ship design and build experience. The Fairweather will be powered by four diesel engines and four water jets. The hull form is a 73-meter catamaran that has been shown to provide the highest transport efficiency of any high- speed ferry of this size.

Gavin Higgins, General Manager of Derecktor Shipyards stated: “We are very excited to be the first to build this class of boat in the United States. Together with Nigel Gee, we did a tremendous amount of work to study and refine this new vessel design in detail for the State of Alaska and we are pleased that all our work has paid off.” The Alaska Marine Highway Fleet

1. M/V Columbia Inside Passage—Mainline Route 931 passengers • 134 vehicles 44 four-berth cabins 59 two-berth cabins Amenities: Dining Room • Cafeteria • Gift shop Cocktail lounge • Solarium • Forward observation lounge.

2. M/V Kennicott Statewide Routes 748 passengers • 80 vehicles 51 four-berth cabins 34 two-berth cabins 24 two-berth roomettes Amenities: Cafeteria • Gift shop • Solarium cock- tail and observation lounges.

3. M/V Taku Inside Passage—Mainline Route 370 passengers • 69 vehicles 9 four-berth cabins 35 two-berth cabins Amenities: Cafeteria • Gift shop • Solarium Cocktail and Forward observation lounges.

4. M/V Tustumena Southcentral—Southwest Routes 220 passengers • 36 vehicles 8 four-berth cabins 18 two-berth cabins Amenities: Dining Room • Solarium • Cocktail and Forward observation lounges. The Alaska Marine Highway Fleet

5. M/V E.L. Bartlett Southcentral Alaska Routes 236 passengers • 29 vehicles No cabins Amenities: Food service • Solarium • Forward observation lounge.

6. M/V LeConte Community Link Routes 300 passengers • 34 vehicles No cabins Amenities: Cafeteria • Solarium • Forward obser- vation lounge.

7. M/V Malaspina Inside Passage—Mainline Route 701 passengers • 88 vehicles 46 four-berth cabins 27 two-berth cabins Amenities: Cafeteria • Gift shop • Solarium Cocktail and Forward observation lounges.

8. M/V Matanuska Statewide Routes 745 passengers • 88 vehicles 4 four-berth cabins 23 three-berth cabins 81 two-berth roomettes Amenities: Cafeteria • Gift shop • Solarium Cocktail lounge • Forward observation lounge. The Alaska Marine Highway Fleet

9. M/V Aurora Community Link Routes 300 passengers • 34 vehicles No cabins Amenities: Cafeteria • Solarium • Forward obser- vation lounge. Sights of the Sea

Alaska’s Marine Highway Celebrates 40 Years of Serving Residents and Visitors Sights of the Sea

For longer than recorded time, watery pathways have been Alaska’s thoroughfares. Aleut traders in tiny sea-hugging bidarkas sailed here. Brightly painted Tlingit war canoes sailed to potlatches. Explorers from Spain, England, Russia and France – some purposely seeking a northwest passage, others hopelessly lost – mapped these waters. Fur traders and lumbermen raised sail here and gold seekers packed into leaky steamers on their way to the Klondike. Sailors sweated and shivered in wartime submarines on patrol. In the 1970s, oilfield workers greased their toolboxes against the salt air and sailed north.Today, every type of vessel from fiberglass kayaks to oil tankers to luxury cruise ships ply these waterways, and among them, the great ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway move patiently and predictably, taking ordinary people on an extraordinary voyage.

The vessels of the Alaska Marine Highway trace thousands of miles of the world’s most scenic coastline. From the verdant rain forests of Northern British Columbia and the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska to the smoldering volcanoes of the Aleutian Chain to the glaciers and fjords of Prince William Sound, the ships glide over crystal seas and plow through ocean swells.

The Alaska Marine Highway has been offering its passengers a chance to escape for 40 years, starting with just one vessel, the M/V Malaspina, which arrived in Ketchikan on Jan. 23, 1963. Today, the ferry system has nine vessels and anticipates at least two more by the end of 2004.

“It is not happenstance that the term ‘highway’ is in our name,” said Alaska Marine Highway General Manager George Capacci. “The Marine Highway is the way people and vehicles move about in the coastal zone of Alaska.”

Anchorage resident Tim Deal and his brother-in-law have taken the ferry M/V Tustumena from Homer to Port Lions on Kodiak Island several times to go hunting. And although, as a pilot for Alaska Airlines, he likes to fly, he recommends the ferry to everyone. “The ferry left at 8 p.m. so it was an all-night crossing,” Deal said. “But we used our ground pads and a sleeping bag and slept up on deck.” At times, the crossing around the Barren Islands got rough, but as they approached Homer on the return trip, the sight of Kachemak Bay was unforgettable. “People were starting to rouse and we got up and had a nice breakfast in the restau- rant,” he said. “It was a great trip, a great way to travel.” In fact, Deal, his wife and three boys are hoping to plan a ferry trip all the way to Dutch Harbor, in the Aleutians, for one of their upcoming vacations. And the oldest Deal boy, Conor, has a school fieldtrip planned from Whittier to Cordova. Sights of the Sea

Sharon Gaiptman, marketing manager for the Alaska Marine Highway, recommends that sightseers not only take in the glacier-and-wildlife-rich Inside Passage but also suggests a ferry ride like Deal’s, from Homer or Seward to Kodiak. Such trips give visitors a sense for the rhythm of Alaska’s rural communities.

“Anchorage in the summertime is the No. 1 visitor destination for Alaska Marine Highway passengers,” Gaiptman said. “They also want to see Juneau, the (Matanuska- Susitna Valley), Fairbanks and Kenai. Only one of those places is in the Inside Passage, and that’s the thing about the Alaska Marine Highway. You can get to all those places and do it on your own schedule.”

Part of the Marine Highway’s 40th anniversary “Sailabration” is the system’s recent desig- nation as a National Scenic Byway, a federally funded U.S. Department of Transportation program that recognizes unique and scenic roadways. This is the first time a marine- based system has received the honor, Gaiptman said, and there is still a lot of work to be done on a local level to promote the honor.

“Being the first marine-based scenic byway award makes this doubly exciting,” Gaiptman said. “We’re planning to have dedications at every port location, and there are 33 ports and about 3,000 miles — 8,800 miles when you count all the routes together.”

Capacci said the yearlong Sailabration also will include: a ceremony to name the ferry currently being built to serve residents of Metlakatla; special travel offers for those on a budget; and, the unveiling of the Marine Highway’s official 40th anniversary poster.

Although there will be special 40th birthday celebrations all year, it will still be business as usual for the ferry system, especially for those who rely on the ferry for everyday transportation. “Many Alaska families, like mine, rely on the ferry system, and in many cases, it’s the only way to get a high school sports team to a regional tournament. It's the same for church groups, for individuals who need medical care, for shopping opportunities or for those who want to attend regional cultural events.”

“There is no perfect way to see Alaska,” Gaiptman said. “The reality is that I think that there are many special ways to get around Alaska, but the Marine Highway is among the most unique because it enables you to see Alaska your way. “You can get on and off when you want,” Gaiptman continued. “If you want to take time and see communities in the Inside Passage, you can do it. If you want to get off and travel inland, you can do it. You just kind of sit there and go, ‘Here’s the Alaska of my dreams. Here’s the Alaska not many people see.’ “ Sights of the Sea

IF YOU GO FERRYING

Walk-on reservations are almost never needed. But if you want a private cabin or to book vehicle, you should call ahead of time. Cabins are comfortable but small, and keep in mind that the beds are in a bunk arrangement. If you need two beds for sleep- ing but neither person in your party can climb to a top bunk, get a four-berth cabin with two bunks. Kayaks, bicycles and other outdoor gear are allowed. Call ahead for details. Pets may travel with you, but must have current health certificates (within 30 days) in order to travel through Canada or into Alaska from another state. The cost for pets is $10 to $25, depending upon your port of departure. Pets must stay in pet carriers or in your vehicle.

Alaska Marine Highway: (800) 642-0066 www.ferryalaska.com