A new ferry will join the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet in May of 2019 to provide service in the Lynn Canal area of Southeast Alaska.
The M/V Tazlina is 280 feet long, approximately 70 feet wide, seats up to 300 passengers and carries 53 vehicles.
In advance of its inaugural voyage, ceremonies for the Tazlina was set for Aug. 11 in Ketchikan, with First Lady Donna Walker to perform the christening. The event was open to the public, with dignitaries in attendance to include Gov. Bill Walker and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
The vessel is the first AMHS ferry to carry the Made in Alaska logo. The Tazlina was named by Melea Voran, who won an essay contest as a seventh grader in the Port Alsworth Tanalian School.
“The new Alaska Class Ferry will be a valuable transportation asset in Northern Lynn Canal and will help improve ferry system reliability and flexibility,” said Capt. John Falvey, AMHS general manager.
Construction of the Tazlina at Ketchikan by Vigor Alaska supported over 100 full time, year-round positions in Ketchikan over three years with average annual earnings of more than $80,000, AMHS officials said. The multiplier effects of shipyard operations include significant year-round support for Ketchikan businesses and its economy. Vigor’s chief executive officer, Frank Foti, said that AMHS’ collaboration with the Vigor team throughout the project has “resulted in a great ferry that will serve the people of Alaska long into the future.”