Strike halts ferry system
State ferry system workers went on strike over a breakdown in contract negotiations with the state, shutting down sailings at the peak of the summer tourist and seafood seasons. Many seafood processors in coastal communities depend on the state ferries to send shipments of chilled fish. While cruise ships handle the bulk of summer tourists many independent travelers depend on the ferries, as do residents of coastal communities. The Inland Boatman’s Union of the Pacific represents Alaska Marine Highway System workers. The union has been working under a series of interim agreements since 2017, the end of its last three-year contract, and says negotiations on a new contract are stalled.

Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities officials said the state will refund stranded passengers’ tickets and help get stranded vehicles transported by private barge operators like Alaska Marine Lines.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has mainly been embroiled in state budget controversy with the Legislature this spring but this is the governor’s first test of crisis management of an operational issue as well as state labor relations.

Ketchikan cruise ship dock
While the City of Ketchikan explores options for expanding its own cruise ship docks private investors are proceeding with plan to build a 500-foot by 70-foot floating pontoon dock, in a two-berth T-shape configuration, at nearby Wards Cove. This is in cooperation with Norwegian Cruise Lines, which would use the dock. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now soliciting comments on a permit for the project. One issue the corps is dealing with is ensuring that a cap on contaminated soils at the site, 53 acres covered by thin layer of sand, is not disturbed. Wards Cove is the site of the former Ketchikan Pulp Co. site.