(JUNEAU, Alaska) – The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) M/V Taku experienced a mechanical issue Monday, October 29, 2012 resulting in an interruption to scheduled passenger service.

The ferry was sailing from Sitka, Alaska to Petersburg, Alaska when the ferry’s captain noted that control to one of the two rudders was not responding as intended. Mechanics aboard the M/V Taku confirmed failure of the hydraulic ram controlling the ship’s starboard rudder, which affects the vessel’s steering.

With the assistance of a tugboat, the ferry docked in Petersburg at 10 a.m., approximately two hours behind schedule. Aboard the ferry were 109 passengers and 24 vehicles.

The U.S. Coast Guard was immediately notified and has cleared the ferry to resume passenger service to Ketchikan. The M/V Taku is scheduled to depart Petersburg at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, October 30 and will sail to Ketchikan where repairs will be made. A timeline for when repairs will be complete has not been determined.

Previously scheduled service aboard the M/V Taku between Petersburg and Wrangell, Wrangell and Ketchikan, and to Prince Rupert, British Columbia has been canceled. AMHS staff is contacting affected passengers. For more information passengers may call their local terminal by dialing 1-907-465-3941 or toll-free at 1-800-642-0066.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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