Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond travelled to Juneau, Alaska, to press for the return of the Alaska Marine Highway ferry service to the North Coast.
Pond, alongside chief administrative officer Richard Pucci, attended the Southeast Alaska Conference in Juneau in hopes of discussing the possibility of restoring the Alaska Marine Highway ferry service between Alaska and Prince Rupert.
The Alaska Marine Highway has been closed for the past five years due to security issues with U.S. border officers. Before its suspension, the ferry service was a vital marine link that boosted tourism, trade and relationships on both sides.
Bringing back the Alaska ferry would benefit both communities, Pond said.
“Prince Rupert and Alaska share deep and enduring connections, including family ties between our residents and theirs. The Alaska ferry service is a bridge between our regions and its loss directly impacts local families as well as tourism. We appreciated the opportunity to have an open and constructive conversation with Senator Stedman about what reinstatement could mean for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”
The City of Prince Rupert said reinstating the ferry would create new opportunities for both communities and that it will continue to work toward restoring the service.
