Alaska plans for new ferry Tazlina to begin operation in May

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) – The Alaska Marine Highway System says the new ferry Tazlina will begin operating in waters in the southeastern Alaska in May.

The Ketchikan Daily News reports the ferry system announced last week that the 280-foot Tazlina will operate in Lynn Canal, replacing the ferry Fairweather that connects Juneau, Haines and Skagway.

The vessel built in Ketchikan can accommodate 300 passengers and 53 vehicles, holding more than the 235-foot Fairweather.

System spokesperson Aurah Landau says the sister ship Hubbard is expected to be completed this year.

The state plans for the Hubbard to begin operating in the Prince William Sound in southern Alaska in 2020, replacing the ferry Aurora.

The state plans to add forward side doors to the new ferries, costing about $3 million each.
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Information from: Ketchikan (Alaska) Daily News, http://www.ketchikandailynews.com