The Alaska 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. # # # 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 Territory of Alaska 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 Inside Passage 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 Seattle 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 Prince William Sound 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 Southeast Alaska 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.