FERRY UPDATE 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2020
The M/V Kennicott is due to arrive from Whittier at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. It is scheduled to depart for Whittier at 9:30 p.m.
The M/V Tustumena is set to arrive at 10:45 a.m. on Friday and leave at 5 p.m. The Tusty will be coming and going from Homer, by way of Ouzinkie.
This link will take you to the Ferry Schedule website where you can choose to view schedules in two different formats.
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This update comes from the Alaska Marine Highways System. KMXT has made minor editing to make it easier to read.
Status Update: 07-01-20
Fleet Update
The MV Tustumena has been cleared to sail. The ship has been commercially cleaned and will return to service with a July 2nd departure from Homer.
The MV Kennicott is presently underway on the Bellingham-Cross Gulf route and will also be providing service to the communities of Prince William Sound.
The MV Matanuska reduction gear repairs are complete. The vessel will be departing Ketchikan on July 1st southbound to Bellingham for service throughout Southeast.
Both the MV LeConte and MV Lituya continue day boat operations.
TUSTUMENA
Increased COVID-19 Mitigation Protocols
AMHS faced a challenge with the COVID situation aboard the MV Tustumena.
The AMHS management team has continued working in conjunction with the state medical team to revise our vessel mitigation plan to reduce the chance of another COVID situation onboard an operating ship.
We are hopeful that with social distancing, face coverings and COVID testing requirements that we can operate a COVID-free environment.
Passenger Screening
As a part of the increased mitigation plan, passenger screening protocols have been revised.
Protocols vary from less restrictive for shorter-duration day-boat operations to more restrictive for longer-duration mainline vessel routes and travel to/from Bellingham, WA.
It is a traveler’s responsibility to ensure that they are prepared to provide the required documentation and verification of a negative Covid-19 test, at the time of check-in for a sailing.
AMHS reminds Alaskans and visitors about the importance of adhering to the AMHS specific Covid-19 protocols. If a positive case develops on a ship during transit, the health of all aboard could be impacted.
This may include a required quarantine or isolation period for all aboard, with no access to public transportation for a minimum of 14 days. It is up to all passengers and crew to act responsibly so ferry service can continue in Alaska.
Please take time to read ALL of the information on our COVID-19 Travel Advisories webpage to ensure you properly comply with State of Alaska and AMHS requirements. No exceptions will be made.
Face Masks & Social Distancing
All passengers (over 24 months of age) and crew are required to wear face coverings while onboard vessels, except when in a stateroom, in a designated smoking area or while eating. To the extent possible, AMHS will make reasonable accommodation for a passenger who is unable to wear a face covering due to a disability.
Passengers will need to provide their own mask and are required to wear them before entering any AMHS terminal and throughout a trip on any vessel.
Passengers
Restricted vessel operating capacities will assist in creating more space onboard so passengers can practice social distancing while vessels are underway. AMHS will be following all social distancing protocols where applicable onboard the vessels, in terminals and while loading and unloading.
Please work with AMHS staff to maintain physical distancing and follow all onboard 6-foot distance markers, signage and directives for the established one-way traffic patterns.
Advanced Reservations Highly Advised
AMHS has implemented multiple changes to our standard operating procedures to ensure passenger safety.
AMHS highly advises all passengers to make advanced reservations to ensure confirmed space for travel as we operate with reduced vessel capacity.
Reservations for travel can continue to be made by calling a local terminal, contacting our toll-free Juneau reservations call center at 1-800-642-0066, or confirm reservations online.