The new Alaska Class Ferry design has been released, and is available online for public scrutiny and comment.
The study details vessel characteristics. For example, there will be no room and board accommodations — for passengers or crew — so it will operate as a day boat only. It will be able to carry up to 300 passengers, and space for those passengers will include options for seating and activities. There will be vending machines rather than food service.
The report also outlines estimates for vessel construction. Alaska Ship and Drydock in Ketchikan has a tentative agreement to build the new ferries, pending completed negotiations.
The department wants two new ferries, costing up to $117 million.
Public meetings have been scheduled in Juneau, Skagway and Haines, which are the communities that the new ferry would serve.
The report is online at dot.state.ak.us/amhs/alaska_class.
The department will accept public comments on the design report through August 30th. Comments can be emailed to dot.amhs.alaskaclass@alaska.gov.
