alaska

The U.S. Senate on Thursday, May 13 passed a bill that could allow cruise ships to come straight to Alaska. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Alaskan cruise ships bypassing B.C. ports could cost the province millions

The U.S. Senate approved The Alaska Tourism Recovery Act, which could see ships travel directly between the State of Washington and Alaska

 

A new American law is designed to help save this year’s Alaska cruise industry. (photo submitted)

Alaska cruise ticket sales resumption raises tourism hopes

New U.S. law would allow American ships to bypass Canadian ports between Washington and Alaska

 

The former BC ferry MV Tanaka will be leaving Port Alberni’s harbour at the end of March after someone in Alaska bought it from Lady Rose Marine Services. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Lady Rose sells old B.C. ferry, ends hopes of West Coast of Vancouver Island run

Port Alberni business had hopes of servicing car ferry to west coast before COVID-19 hit

 

Beaver Creek RCMP Cpl. Robert Drapeau, left to right, Gary Bath, Lynn Marchessault, Payton Marchessault, Rebecca Marchessault and Tim Marchessault pose in this recent handout photo near the Canada-U.S. border crossing near Beaver Creek, Yukon. A family reunion trip for the woman from Georgia that left them stranded ended on a bright note when Bath drove them to the Alaskan border following an appeal for help. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Gary Bath *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Help from B.C. man allows American family to reunite in Alaska

Lynn Marchessault drove from Georgia to the Alaska border to join her husband, who serves in U.S. military

Beaver Creek RCMP Cpl. Robert Drapeau, left to right, Gary Bath, Lynn Marchessault, Payton Marchessault, Rebecca Marchessault and Tim Marchessault pose in this recent handout photo near the Canada-U.S. border crossing near Beaver Creek, Yukon. A family reunion trip for the woman from Georgia that left them stranded ended on a bright note when Bath drove them to the Alaskan border following an appeal for help. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Gary Bath *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Part of Canada’s land border with the United States is pictured closed at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. RCMP in British Columbia say four Americans have been fined $500 for violating emergency orders under the Quarantine Act, invoked in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Alaskans fined, taken to U.S. after allegedly violating Quarantine Act in B.C.

Spokeswoman Dawn Roberts says a vehicle with Alaska licence plates sparked suspicion

Part of Canada’s land border with the United States is pictured closed at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Tuesday, April 28, 2020. RCMP in British Columbia say four Americans have been fined $500 for violating emergency orders under the Quarantine Act, invoked in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Tl’uk, a rare, low-pigment transient orca was spotted in Alaska waters last week. (Courtesy of Stephanie Hayes.)

Rare white orca spotted hunting off shores of Alaska for first time

Tl’uk seems healthy and strong, says researcher

Tl’uk, a rare, low-pigment transient orca was spotted in Alaska waters last week. (Courtesy of Stephanie Hayes.)
The ferry, MV Malaspina, arrives at port in Wrangell. The vessel will also be sailing into Prince Rupert’s waters for a very short period over the next two months. (Courtesy Photo | Vivian Faith Prescott)

City of Prince Rupert foots the bill for armed RCMP officers at Alaska ferry terminal, two trips scheduled

Two temporary voyages between Prince Rupert and Ketchikan added to AMHS schedule in Oct. and Nov.

The ferry, MV Malaspina, arrives at port in Wrangell. The vessel will also be sailing into Prince Rupert’s waters for a very short period over the next two months. (Courtesy Photo | Vivian Faith Prescott)
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry heads up Lynn Canal toward Haines and Skagway from Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

LETTER: Alaska Marine Highway throws wrench in ‘once in a life time journey’

With the closure of service from Prince Rupert to Alaksa, tourism dollars will be affected

  • Oct 10, 2019
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry heads up Lynn Canal toward Haines and Skagway from Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Marine Highway System’s Auke Bay Terminal. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Immediate deal to reinstate AMHS in Prince Rupert not out of the question: Mayor Brain

B.C., Alaska officials fail to sign ferry deal in Juneau to reinstate service from Ketchikan

Alaska Marine Highway System’s Auke Bay Terminal. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries will no longer be running to Prince Rupert as of Oct. 1 due to a failure to secure an RCMP presence for unarmed American border personal in Prince Rupert. (Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire via AP)

Failure to secure armed RCMP presence at Prince Rupert’s terminal leads to end of Alaska ferry service

On Oct. 1, the Alaska Marine Highway System will no longer provide service from Ketchikan to Rupert

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries will no longer be running to Prince Rupert as of Oct. 1 due to a failure to secure an RCMP presence for unarmed American border personal in Prince Rupert. (Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire via AP)
The Crown Princess, owned and operated by Princess Cruises, steams by the ruins of the Treadwell Mine’s salt water Pump House and toward Juneau’s downtown harbor in this September 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Cruise ship complaint numbers in Alaska for this year may surprise you

Complaints about cruise ship emissions and violations are both on track for year-over-year decreases

  • Aug 12, 2019
The Crown Princess, owned and operated by Princess Cruises, steams by the ruins of the Treadwell Mine’s salt water Pump House and toward Juneau’s downtown harbor in this September 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
IBU regional vice chair Robb Arnold, left, celebrates with IBU members at the Juneau ferry terminal following a tentative agreement with state officials on Friday, August 2, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Alaska ferry union reaches deal with state, bringing potential service back to Prince Rupert

Ferry workers have reached a tenative deal with the state

  • Aug 2, 2019
IBU regional vice chair Robb Arnold, left, celebrates with IBU members at the Juneau ferry terminal following a tentative agreement with state officials on Friday, August 2, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Backed by members of the Juneau Filipino community’s Ati-Atihan musical group, members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific march along Main Street in support of their continued strike against the Alaska Marine Highway System on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘We want to go back to work’: Ferry strike ongoing

Day 6 of the strike.

  • Jul 29, 2019
Backed by members of the Juneau Filipino community’s Ati-Atihan musical group, members of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific march along Main Street in support of their continued strike against the Alaska Marine Highway System on Monday, July 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Neil Calberon, right, mans the picket line with others on the third day of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific’s strike against the Alaska Marine Highway System at the Auke Bay Terminal on Friday, July 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Stranded: Ferry strikes leave visitors, businesses and locals high and dry

Ferry worker strike has left visitors to the region trapped.

  • Jul 27, 2019
Neil Calberon, right, mans the picket line with others on the third day of the Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific’s strike against the Alaska Marine Highway System at the Auke Bay Terminal on Friday, July 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)