Six of 11 ferry vessels now down
Six of 11 state ferry vessels have been pulled from service to due lack of funds for major maintenance, the Alaska Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities said. The latest development is the vessels LeConte and Aurora being pulled from service after inspections showed steel replacement and reinforcement are needed. Four vessels are already in layup, including the Malaspina, Fairweather, Columbia and Chenega. There is enough money to do the repair work on the LeConte, DOTPF said, and the vessel will be able to return to service in early May.