KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
As summer sailings continue, the Alaska Marine Highway System is already looking toward the next season. The winter ferry schedule was recently released, covering sailings between October 1 and April 30.
Marine Highway System Spokesman Jeremy Woodrow said the schedule for Kodiak and its surrounding villages is fairly similar to previous years, with additional Tustumena stops added in Ouzinkie.
“Every other Friday, and that’s part of the public input that was expressed during the public comment period and so that’s really the major change that’s coming to the Kodiak island area – is that extra stop.”
Woodrow said Ouzinkie is a relatively new addition to the marine highway. The Tustumena only started making stops there within the past two years, but doesn’t service the village as frequently as Kodiak proper.
“So we’re still trying to figure out how much traffic goes back and forth from Ouzinkie to Kodiak and other ports and try to adjust the schedule accordingly to that.”
The every other Friday stop will be in addition to the Monday service currently offered for the village.
As far as routine maintenance goes, Woodrow said the Tustumena will begin its annual overhaul on March 1 and be out of the water until April 19, meaning Ouzinkie and Port Lions won’t see service during that time.
The Kennicott will go into capital improvement project maintenance and annual overhaul on October 1 and come back online in March to relieve the Tustumena during its overhaul.
Folks can view the full schedule and make reservations here . The Alaska Marine Highway System operates 11 ferries that serve 35 communities in Alaska and Washington.
