MV Fairweather

The M/V Fairweather is a fast ferry catamaran in the Alaska Marine Highway System.

The Fairweather approaching Auke Bay near Juneau, Alaska.
History
Name: MV Fairweather
Namesake: Fairweather Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Owner: Alaska Marine Highway System
Port of registry: United States
Route:
Builder: Derecktor Shipyards
Laid down: 2003
Completed: 2004
Acquired: 2004
Maiden voyage: June 8, 2004
Homeport: Juneau, Alaska
Identification:
General characteristics
Class and type: Det Norske Veritas catamaran ro-ro ferry
Tonnage: 3,424 GT
Length: 235 ft (72 m)
Beam: 60 ft
Draft: 8' 6" loaded
Decks: One vehicle deck
Installed power: 15,360 shp
Speed: 32 knots
Capacity:
  • 250 passengers
  • 36 vehicles
Notes: Aft and starboard ro-ro loading

It was built by Derecktor Shipyards in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 2003 and 2004, and began service on June 8 of the latter year.[1] It is powered by four diesel engines and water jets for a service speed of 32 knots which is similar to her sister ship, the M/V Chenega.

Route

The Fairweather was originally planned to exclusively create a Sitka-Juneau high speed ferry link, with the ferry homeported in Sitka. However, the state changed its plans and decided to homeport the ferry in Juneau, creating an uproar in Sitka. Unlike mainline and feeder vessels that operate 24 hours a day, the Fairweather (and Chenega) are day boats only, thus offering a complement of jobs and economic stimulus to whichever community homeports the boat. Eventually the Fairweather's planned route was changed again to serve the Lynn Canal (Haines and Skagway route four days a week and Sitka-Juneau three days a week). This route was used throughout 2004 and the summer season of 2005. However, the state decided to change the ferry's route again for the winter 2005 schedule and run the Fairweather on an exclusive Juneau-Petersburg route. This is coordinated with the M/V Chenega running a dedicated Ketchikan-Wrangell-Petersburg route to effectively create a marine link between Ketchikan and Juneau in the winter season. Since 2006, the Fairweather has returned to serving Haines, Skagway, and Sitka from its port in Juneau.

As of May, 2019 the Fairweather joins the MV Chenega in Ward Cove in Ketchican, Alaska. It is expected that they will both be put up for sale. [2].

References
  1. Marine Log.com vessel portrait: M/V Fairweather
  2. 2

2.https://www.juneauempire.com/news/doom-for-the-fast-ferries-two-more-go-up-for-sale/

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