Ferry Columbia out of service in Ketchikan until Nov. 8 for engine repairs

The Alaska Marine Highway System said Monday that the ferry Columbia is out of service in Ketchikan for repairs to its port main engine and is scheduled to return to service Sunday, Nov. 8.

AMHS first said Sunday that the ship was delayed in Ketchikan by a mechanical problem with that engine and that marine engineers were assessing it. A technical inspection found the engine needs a new cylinder liner and piston, according to the AMHS service notice. AMHS said it has secured the spare parts. A specialized Wärtsilä technician will arrive in Ketchikan Thursday to make the repairs with the ship's engineering crew.

Passengers aboard may stay on the vessel. Ketchikan terminal staff will process ticket reimbursements for passengers who leave to make other travel arrangements, such as flights home, and will coordinate arrangements for unaccompanied vehicles. Questions can go to the AMHS call center at 1-800-642-0066 or the Ketchikan terminal office.

When it returns, the Columbia is set to leave Ketchikan northbound at 1 pm Nov. 8 and call at Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines and Skagway by Tuesday, Nov. 10, according to the November sailing schedule. That schedule shows no Bellingham departure on Nov. 6; the next is Nov. 13. AMHS says return dates on its fleet status page are estimates that can change with repair progress. The page still listed the Columbia as in service Tuesday afternoon.

The Columbia had engine trouble earlier this year, too. Alaska News reported May 5 that a breakdown held the ship at the Whittier dock for four hours, delaying hundreds of passengers.

A longer break is ahead. AMHS's proposed winter operating schedule lists a Columbia overhaul from Nov. 25 through April 30, 2027, with the ship returning to its Bellingham route May 5, 2027.