Mainline Ferry Columbia Delayed in Ketchikan Due to Port Main Engine Failure
The state’s mainline ferry Columbia is currently laid up in Ketchikan following a port main engine failure that disrupted service for approximately 70 passengers traveling northbound, KRBD reported. Marine engineers boarded the vessel to assess the machinery and determine the full scope of required repairs, according to travel advisories issued by the state ferry system and reported by the Ketchikan Daily News.
The 52-year-old vessel, which serves as the largest ship in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, experienced the breakdown after completing a rigorous stretch of runs through Southeast’s Inside Passage. Alaska Marine Highway System spokesperson Gabe Strong noted that with how consistently the vessel operates, incidents of this nature are to be expected given the punishing demands of the route. “The Columbia… went in June or something, and since then it’s been just going up and down from Skagway in the north to Bellingham in the south,” Strong told KRBD, emphasizing the sheer volume of nautical miles the aging ship covers continuously.
Repair Schedules and Passenger Options During the Layover
An engine technician arrived in Ketchikan to begin hands-on repairs, with system officials projecting that northbound service will resume on Sunday, November 8, picking up the schedule already in place for that day, as detailed by the Ketchikan Daily News. This latest mechanical hurdle follows closely on the heels of a previous delay in Bellingham, where the Columbia was held up for more than 24 hours due to an issue with an engine’s piston sleeve, forcing the crew to skip several scheduled ports of call to make up for lost time.
While the ship undergoes maintenance at the Ketchikan shipyard, passengers face varied travel logistics. The state ferry terminal has coordinated options for travelers wishing to fly home and retrieve their vehicles upon the vessel’s eventual arrival. Meanwhile, many passengers chose to remain on board the docked ship. To accommodate those staying behind, the crew provided free food and organized transportation, shuttling a handful of passengers directly to Ketchikan’s Gateway Recreation Center so they could cast their ballots in the general election.
Aging Marine Fleet Faces Ongoing Repair and Replacement Hurdles
As one of the oldest vessels actively operating in the marine highway fleet—having entered service in 1974—the Columbia highlights ongoing infrastructure hurdles for the state-run transportation network. The ship’s return to service earlier this year following its winter maintenance layup in the Ketchikan shipyard was similarly postponed by complications involving the turbine powering the bow thruster, a critical piece of equipment used to aid maneuverability in tight ports.
Addressing fleet sustainability, Strong acknowledged that long-term plans involve replacing the aging vessels to prevent recurring breakdowns. However, officials point out a stark financial barrier: constructing modern mainline ferries demands expenditures totaling hundreds of millions of dollars per vessel, leaving the system to manage and repair its current historic tonnage.
