State offers M/V Taku for sale

The Alaska state ferry M/V Taku is up for sale “as is /Where is” to the highest bidder, via a sealed bid, with a minimum asking price of $1.5 million.

The M/V Taku, which was taken out of service on June 23, 2015, is currently moored at Ward Cove in Ketchikan.

The deadline for sealed bids is 3 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on May 9.

Interested bidders must have a bid bond of $5,000, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

The deal involves getting Federal Highway Administration approval since federal funds were used to maintain the vessel over its lifespan.

The complete bid package is online at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=184955

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ADOT&PF initiated proceedings in February to transfer ownership of the M/V Taku by offering it to other state agencies or municipalities. So far none have expressed interest in assuming ownership.

The M/V Taku was determined to be excess to the needs of the state for ferry vessels and outside the realm of what the state can afford to maintain and operate in passenger service with available funding.  The vessel was constructed in 1963 and operated as part of the Alaska Marine Highway System for over 50 years.

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