The M/V Hubbard on the water has matched the slow speed that is the Alaska ferry’s name-brand glacier. The construction began in 2014 and took 4 years to finish. Then the marine highway changed direction and updated the boat, including crew quarters that allowed it to operate continuously.
On Tuesday on Tuesday morning, the Hubbard was sailing up through the Lynn Canal with about 70 passengers aboard. The canal now connects Juneau, Haines and Skagway all week long however Mondays are the only exception.
The long-awaited docking ceremony in Haines was delayed even more. The ferry Columbia was carrying an unusually heavy load of equipment, took a long time to leave the terminal. Therefore, the Hubbard’s team walked in the vicinity of Lutak Inlet for about an hour and one-half hours.
Then, around nine years and ninety-minutes since construction began the M/V Hubbard released its first passenger load. Haines local Tom Faverty was one of the passengers.
“Except the delays at the close the trip was a wonderful trip,” he said. “The vessel was clean and very well-organized. And it’s nice to have a second vessel in the middle of Lynn Canal. We’re looking for it.”
The Hubbard that is 50 feet wider than the LeConte it can accommodate up to 50 automobiles. Their top speed the equivalent to an electric scooter’s. Capt. Gabe Baylous pointed to 40 feet of living space that was that were added to the deck’s upper level. A dining room for crew members was converted into sleeping quarters.
“This is the only stainless steel here” the man said. “All the unlicensed workers live here”
Crew quarters for the crew cost $15 million, and put off the ship’s first voyage until the beginning of this week. The capacity of the ship’s passengers didn’t change, as it was designed to accommodate 300. The galley is sturdier but the new stainless steel is shiny.
Baylous is certain that when an appointed cook is assigned to the vessel the warm meals will be offered to passengers.
“I do not anticipate that this vessel will ever be capable of serving food hot to more than 300 guests. Maybe on lighter load, we’ll be in a position to serve food that is hot,” He said.
Baylous states that with a full crowd of people this new kitchen will serve out salads, soups and sandwiches to be available in the cafeteria.
The Marine system has stated it is bringing the Hubbard to line-up within the Lynn Canal will allow the LeConte to expand ferry services across the other Southeast communities.
Ferry service has been having difficulties in recent times in retaining and hiring personnel. Captain Baylous states that a vessel like the Hubbard is well placed to tackle the issue.
“We will have smaller numbers of employees which I personally enjoy,” he said. “It will make it more efficient, and more of a tighter knit team.”
Baylous believes having a brand new ship can boost morale. He claims that despite his love for the 60-year-old Malaspina that was which is a ship that was recently retired in the Fleet, Baylous was able to feel that working on a declining vessel had an effect on the energy of the crew. He reveals a space on the deck of the Hubbard which will allow the crew to enjoy barbecues while at the shipyard.
“It’s an excellent chance,” he said. “If you are focused on the positives of these ships, they’re excellent ships. Also, the parts that aren’t so great, or maybe a bit off, I’m sure will improve over time. This makes it an evolving and expanding thing.”
The deck for the car that is part of Hubbard is huge and wide free. The time to turn around in Haines was just twenty minutes. Baylous predicted that he would recuperate a lot of the time lost in the late at night.
