Mayor Herb Pond's Ketchikan visit brings thoughts on stalled return of Alaska Ferry between Ketchikan and Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond had some cross border travel on the agenda earlier this month, the city's top elected official making his way to Ketchikan to help that community celebrate the 4th of July.

The Mayor hitched a ride north with Prince Rupert's Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue crew from Station 64, they made their annual trek to show the flag in the parade and take part in marine exercises with their American partners.

For the Mayor in addition to the parade and a chance to renew connections with Ketchikan officials and residents, there was also an opportunity to speak to the still stalled sailing schedule of the Alaska Marine Highway.

The ferry was supposed to resume its sailing schedule to Prince Rupert this year, but a shuffling of their vessels and challenges towards assembling crews,  left Prince Rupert off the destination board once again this summer.

Ketchikan's Public Radio Station KBRD caught up with the Mayor during his stop in Alaska's First City to hear his views about the impact on Prince Rupert from the suspended sailings.

Mr. Pond noted of the gradual reductions over the last decade and the complete suspension during COVID,  observing how the service at one time made for regular visits for resident of both communities.

Noting not only of his own past travels north, he also spoke of past high school basketball exchanges and golfing excursions from Ketchikan residents among some of his memories of the days of more reliable ferry connectivity.

The shift in the focus for Prince Rupert Tourism without the AMHS service also made for some themes for Mr. Pond as he traced some of the changes from when the Alaska Ferry provided a larger boost to this community's tourism sector.

The Mayor also observed that some Ketchikan residents who are frustrated at the lack of connection to the south, have asked him to see if BC Ferries might be interested in providing service to Ketchikan.

The full KRBD story and the audio of Mr. Pond's interview can be found here.

The Mayor hasn't posted any snapshots from the visit to his social media stream yet, through he might have an update on his travels for Prince Rupert residents later this month, when City Council hosts their only public session in July on the 24th.

More notes related to AMHS themes can be reviewed here.