Port Lions

With populations ranging from 30 to 250 people, Kodiak’s villages aren’t taking risks when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most have shut the communities down to nearly all non-resident travel and implemented strict social distancing measures for residents. “Here in Akhiok, we’re making it. Everybody’s on board [that] we should stay the course,” said Akhiok mayor Dan McCoy. He …

The Alaska Marine Highway System summer ferry schedule was released last week. Kodiak’s first arrival will be the M/V Kennicott on April 25, arriving from Homer. The M/V Tustumena will make its first trip Kodiak from Homer on May 2. This summer will see somewhat reduced service in some places. According to Department of Transportation and Public Facilities spokesperson Sam …

Kodiak Island’s last ferry of the season pulled away from the dock on Saturday, and there won’t be one returning until April. Aging vessels in need of repairs and cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System budget have extended the service gap this year, making life for village residents more difficult in the meantime. M/V Tustumena crew finish last preparations …

Like many parts of coastal Alaska, Kodiak Island is gearing up for a gap in ferry service this winter. While the city of Kodiak has relatively reliable alternatives for transportation to the mainland, the gap will pose serious difficulties for the some of the island’s outlying villages. The M/V Tustumena docked in Kodiak. It’s the smaller of two ferries that …

The Inlandboatmen Union’s strike hit the one-week mark on Wednesday, and the effects of going without ferry service are rippling throughout coastal Alaska. For Alaskans living in remote villages, the impact is especially heavy, since ferries are often the only way to transport vehicles and other goods too big for a charter plane. The M/V Tustumena remains docked in Kodiak …