The Inter-Island Ferry Authority's first boat is getting a refit

The first boat the Inter-Island Ferry Authority ever ran is getting a refit.

The MV Prince of Wales, in service since 2002, will be refurbished, brought into regulatory compliance and updated in several passenger spaces under a $658,041 job. The Federal Highway Administration is covering $526,433 and the state the rest. The work runs through June 2028.

The Prince of Wales no longer carries the daily route. The MV Stikine runs between Hollis and Ketchikan, and the authority describes the older boat as a backup that continues to support operations.

The money goes to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which passes federal surface transportation dollars through to projects. The vessel itself belongs to the ferry authority.

It is a small award next to what the state ferry system drew this month. Alaska's congressional delegation and the governor announced more than $410 million for the Alaska Marine Highway System on Aug. 21, including $161.2 million for operations and $153.4 million toward replacing the MV LeConte. This one is for a single day boat working out of Ketchikan.