Travelers thankful to see a ferry, but would like to see more

Wally McDonald, who got off the southbound LeConte on Monday to check on his boat in Wrangell's harbor, said he was just thankful the ferry finally got him to town. It is challenging getting to and from places on the ferry system these days, he said.

The LeConte was just the fourth ferry visit to Wrangell in the past four months.

And even that was a change in plans. The LeConte was filling in for the Matanuska, which broke down last week. The LeConte returned northbound to Wrangell on Tuesday, and then the next ferry stop in town is not until March 7, when the schedule will start up for one northbound stop (Sunday) and one southbound visit (Wednesday) each week.

"The winter schedule is definitely too sparse for our communities," said Amber Armstrong, dropping off a vehicle to travel to Ketchikan on Monday. "I'm glad to see our summer route's going to be back up."

The Alaska Marine Highway System has been struggling for a number of years. Tight budgets and an aging fleet are two of a number of problems hitting the ferry system. Service to communities such as Wrangell has decreased as a result.

The challenge of using the ferry system was shared by Stephen Todd, who was picking up a skiff being delivered via the LeConte. He used to use the ferry system for travel and moving cargo much more regularly, he said, but that is more difficult these days with such a limited schedule. Twenty years ago, he said, you could count on a ferry to deliver something or someone to their destination in only a few days. Now, however, it can be months to find a ferry with the right schedule.

"I'm just disappointed the state government hasn't found a way to fund the ferries at a level that is sustainable for small communities in particular, like Wrangell," Todd said. "I've been disappointed that Wrangell has been skipped on some of the runs that other communities have got. It's not just Wrangell, it's other small communities like Kake, as well. I would hope the governor and the legislature could find ways to work together and fund this infrastructure like they fund infrastructure in the Interior."