Dec. 2, the Alaska Marine Highway System’s statewide advisory board voted to spend more money in 2024. However, labor shortages could hinder efforts to improve service after years spent cutting costs.
The Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board approved nearly $160 million to allow all nine state ferries to sail during busy summer tourism season. One vessel would remain idle during maintenance layups.
The unanimous vote of the board comes before the expected release of the governor’s budget. This will serve as a starting point for legislators, who will then consider the overall state spending plan when the state Legislature meets next month.
Rob Carpenter, deputy commissioner of the state’s Department of Transportation said that it will be a whole year before this is in effect. He is closely involved with the ferry board.
The 2024 budget recommendation of the board is more expensive than those made in the past five years. These budgets were between $95 million and $142 million.
Last year, the Legislature created the operations board to make recommendations to the Marine Highway System. Over the last few months, the board has been discussing the need to make improvements.
Wanetta Ayers (board member) stated that “there are a lot people, a lot more communities who feel that promises were made with regard to Alaska Marine Highway System, and that they believe those promise have been broken.” She spoke at a September meeting.
At the same meeting, Captain Keith Hillard stated that the ferry system was in very dire, dire straights at the moment.
The board discussed four operating plans for 2024 at their meeting this month. Each plan had a different price tag, and a different number of ferries. Plan A would keep all nine vessels operating, while Plan D would reduce service. Between Plan A and B were Plans C and D.
Shirley Marquardt, Board Chair, stated that she supports Plan B.
She stated that Option B was “really justifiable” in terms of going before the Legislature.
Paul Johnson, a board member, questioned whether there would be enough crew to handle the eight vessels in Plan B. In February, the state contracted to hire new workers through a job replacement firm.
Carpenter, Deputy Commissioner, was positive.
Carpenter stated that they are still actively seeking out all possible hiring. “I believe we need to plan or budget for [having] a full staff and then adjust when we get there.”
Plan B was unanimously approved by the board for the 2024 operating budget. It is expected to be free from service gaps.
The recommendation will go to the DOT Commissioner’s Office as a written letter. It will also be included within the board’s short term plan.
Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed funding of the marine highway system during his tenure. $5,000,000 in 2019, $12 million in 2020 and $8.5 Million last year.
