Unalaska wants the state to look at a ferry from Cold Bay during pollock season

Unalaska's City Council has asked the state to study whether a ferry could run between Cold Bay and Unalaska during the pollock A season, when thousands of workers need to get to the island at once and flights fill up. The council also wants the state to consider whether Cold Bay could serve as a backup route when direct air service to Unalaska breaks down.

The idea came from UniSea, the Unalaska seafood processor, which proposed putting the M/V Kennicott on the run for seven to 10 days at peak demand.

The ferry system is not in a position to say yes easily. Its proposed winter schedule is built around four vessel overhauls, including an extended one for the M/V Aurora after inspectors found extensive wasted steel.

Cold Bay's dock is the other problem. Ferry notices already limit vehicle weight, axle loads and mooring there because of pile damage. And the port is not a winter stop: state averages for 2017 through 2021 show two ferry calls a year at Cold Bay in winter, against 46 in summer.

The resolution commits no money and no vessel. It asks the state to answer a list of questions about cost, staffing, scheduling, safety, weather and demand, and sends the request to the governor, the transportation commissioner, the ferry system's director and Unalaska's legislators.