The ferry servicing Southeast Alaska on the reduced winter schedule fell slightly behind schedule after having mechanical difficulties over the weekend.
While on its way to Ketchikan from Bellingham, Washington, the M/V Columbia encountered a problem with its steering system. Alaska Marine Highway System public information officer Aurah Landau explained the issue had to do with a failing indicator rod. This particular component tracks the movement of the vessel’s port-side rudder for its electronic steering system.
The problem was discovered at around 1 a.m. on January 7. The Columbia continued on its way until reaching port six hours later, remaining there until a technician could be flown up from Seattle. Arriving at 5 p.m., Landau said the repair was relatively simple. The technician was finished with work by 8:30 p.m., and the vessel continued on its way by 10 p.m.
As the only vessel
connecting Southeast communities until the Kennicott returns to service in late February, the Columbia resumed its
northward run without skipping any ports of call. Catching up from Sunday’s delay, the vessel has been operating on a
modified schedule through today, and will resume its regular schedule on its northbound route from Bellingham Friday morning. It is next due into Wrangell at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The largest of AMHS’ vessels, Columbia has been in service since its return from layup last October. The vessel had previously been out of service for more than a year, having to undergo replacement of a damaged propeller.
While under repair the
ship also had a new addition made to its equipment, with a seawater monitoring unit installed that will relay data for an 11-month ocean acidification study being undertaken by American and Canadian researchers. During Columbia’s weekly runs between Skagway to Bellingham the device will measure seawater for temperature, dissolved oxygen content, salinity and carbon dioxide levels.
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