Matanuska out of service third time in two months

April 1, 2021

Sentinel File Photo

The Matanuska has had trouble staying on the job the past year. The ferry was pulled out of service last week for the third time in the past two months. Last year, it was off the job for several months for repairs, pulling into Wrangell (above) on July 5, 2020, its first stop in more than five months.

The 58-year-old Matanuska, the oldest operating vessel in the state ferry fleet, has had troubles operating the past two months.

The Alaska Marine Highway System took it out of service last week to fix a mechanical problem, canceling port calls Saturday through Thursday this week and expecting that repairs would be completed and the ship ready to resume its weekly run out of Bellingham, Washington, this Friday.

The 23-year-old Kennicott stepped in to provide service.

The Matanuska expected to be back on schedule for its northbound stop in Wrangell on Sunday, according to the state website....

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