{{Short description|Former Alaska Marine Highway Ferry}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = MV Fairweather underway.jpg | image_caption = MV ''Fairweather'' }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = [[United States]] | flag = {{shipboxflag|United States|Civil}} | name = '''MV ''Fairweather''''' | namesake = [[Fairweather Glacier]] | owner = | operator = [[Alaska Marine Highway System]] | registry = | route = *[[Southeast Alaska]] *[[Prince William Sound]] | homeport = [[Juneau, Alaska]] | ordered = | builder = [[Derecktor Shipyards]], [[Bridgeport]], [[Connecticut]] | original_cost = $36 million | yard_number = | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = November 15, 2003 | completed = | christened = | acquired = | maiden_voyage = June 7, 2004 | in_service = | out_of_service = 2019 | identification = *{{IMO Number|9265809}} *{{MMSI Number|338116000}} *[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: WDB5604 *Official Number: 1148175 | fate = Sold March 10, 2021 | notes = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = title | country = [[Spain]] | flag = {{shipboxflag|Spain|civil}} | name = | owner = Servicios y Concesiones Maritimas Ibicencas | route = [[Spain]] - [[Ibiza]] | operator = | acquired = March 10, 2021 | original_cost = $2,063,333 }}
|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | tonnage = {{GT|3,424}} | displacement = | length = {{convert|235|ft|m|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = | draft = {{convert|8.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} | depth = | decks = *One vehicle deck *One passenger deck | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | sail_plan = | power = 4 x [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] 20V 4000 M73L engines | propulsion = Water jet | speed = 32 knots | capacity = *210 passengers *31 vehicles | crew = | notes = }} }}
'''Speedlink Jet''' is a catamaran ferry built by [[Derecktor Shipyards]] in [[Bridgeport]], [[Connecticut]] for the [[Alaska Marine Highway|Alaska Marine Highway System]] entering service 2004. After being laid up since 2019, in March 2021 it was sold to Servicios y Concesiones Maritimas Ibicencas for service between [[Mallorca]] and [[Menorca]].
==Construction and characteristics== Much of coastal Alaska is inaccessible by road, leaving many widely dispersed communities dependent on weather-affected flights and long ferry rides. Residents of Southeast Alaska urged political leaders to find better transportation alternatives. In January 2000 Governor [[Tony Knowles (politician)|Tony Knowles]] rejected building a road from [[Juneau]] to [[Skagway]] which would connect the state capital to the rest of the North American road network. Instead, he pushed for fast ferries between the towns of Southeast Alaska.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lavrakas |first=Dimitra |date=February 1, 2000 |title=Skagway-Juneau road nixed by Alaska governor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/578925628/?match=1&terms=%22Skagway-Juneau%20Road%22 |work=Whitehorse Daily Star}}</ref> ''Fairweather'' was the result of this initiative.
''Fairweather'' was designed by BMT Nigel Gee & Associates of [[Southampton]], England.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maritime Journal {{!}} Derecktor's Fast Ferry Speeds to Alaska|url=https://www.maritimejournal.com/news101/industry-news/derecktors_fast_ferry_speeds_to_alaska|access-date=2020-08-04|website=www.maritimejournal.com}}</ref> She was built by [[Derecktor Shipyards]] in [[Bridgeport]], [[Connecticut]] as part of a two-ship contract that included sister-ship [[MV Chenega|MV ''Chenega'']]. The contract was awarded in February 2002 and construction began in July 2002.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|date=July 12, 2002|title=Fast Ferry Building to Begin|work=[[Daily Sitka Sentinel]]|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-jul-12-2002-p-7/}}</ref> The ship was launched on November 15, 2003, and christened by [[Frank Murkowski|Nancy Murkowski]], then the [[First Lady]] of [[Alaska]]. ''Fairweather's'' original cost was $36 million, much of which was funded by the [[Government of the United States|federal government]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 6, 2003|title=Bridgeport Firm Building Two Ferries For Alaska|work=Hartford Courant|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/257184781/?terms=fairweather%2Bferry}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Vessel Profile: FVF Fairweather|url=https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/fleet/fairweather.shtml|access-date=2020-08-04|website=dot.alaska.gov}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Her construction was certified by the [[DNV GL|Det Norske Vertias]] [[classification society]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Jeffries|first1=LCDR William T.|last2=Khalifa|first2=Daisy R.|date=2006|title=Alaska's Extreme Ferries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VM9UAAAAMAAJ&q=fairweather+ferry&pg=RA4-PA20|journal=Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council|publisher=[[United States Coast Guard]]|volume=62|issue=4|pages=19–26}}</ref>
''Fairweather'' is {{Convert|235|ft|m|abbr=}} long, with a beam of {{Convert|60|ft|m|abbr=}}, and a loaded draft of {{Convert|8.5|ft|m|abbr=}}. She displaces 787 long tons. Her gross tonnage, calculated under international rules, is 3,424 tons, while her U.S. gross registered tonnage is 1,280.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Vessel Information Table|url=https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/vess_info_table.pdf|website=Alaska Marine Highway System}}</ref> Her hull is constructed of an aluminum alloy. She has vehicle loading doors both on her [[Transom (nautical)|transom]] and starboard sides to allow for different port configurations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stories in the News - Ketchikan, AK - Governor, First Lady Christen New Ferry in Connecticut|url=http://www.sitnews.us/1103news/111703/111703_fairweather.html|access-date=2020-08-04|website=www.sitnews.us}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
She is powered by four [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] 20V 4000 M73L [[diesel engine]]s which produce 4,830 [[Horsepower|bhp]] (3,600 kW) each.<ref name="Marine Log">Marine Log.com vessel portrait: [http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/PRINTMMIV/MMIVjunfair1.html MV ''Fairweather'']</ref> These drive four [[KaMeWa]] 90SII [[pump-jet|water jets]] with six-bladed impellers. This machinery is located in two separate engine rooms, half in each of the catamaran hulls. Her cruising speed is 32 knots, at which she burns 600 gallons of diesel fuel per hour.<ref name=":1" /> Her maximum speed is 43 knots. ''Fairweather'' is equipped with an active interceptor roll control system to increase passenger comfort in rough seas and swells.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alaska fast ferry navigates complex series of waterways - Professional Mariner - October/November 2014|url=http://www.professionalmariner.com/October-November-2014/Alaska-fast-ferry/|access-date=2020-08-04|website=www.professionalmariner.com}}</ref> She has two 100 hp [[Manoeuvring thruster|bow thrusters]], one in each hull, for maneuvering.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|url=https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/Attachment.aspx?id=119396|title=FVF Fairweather Condition Report|publisher=Glosten|year=2019}}</ref>
Electrical power on the ship is provided by four Northern Lights M6125T generators, each capable of producing 185 kW. As with her propulsion machinery, the generators are split between the two engine rooms.<ref name=":4" />
She has two 6,900 gallon diesel fuel tanks and one 1000 gallon potable water tank.<ref name=":4" />
Her normal crew complement is ten.<ref name=":1" />
''Fairweather'' has a single vehicle deck with {{Convert|620|ft|m|abbr=}} of lanes. She can therefore carry 31 standard vehicles or whatever combination of vehicles will fit. Above the vehicle deck she has seating for 210 passengers on a passenger deck. The passenger deck includes a snack bar, solarium, and child's play area. There are no passenger staterooms as the vessel is intended for day-use only.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
All Alaska Marine Highway System ferries are named after glaciers. ''Fairweather'' was named after the [[Fairweather Glacier]] in [[Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve|Glacier Bay National Park]].<ref name=":0" />
==Operating history== [[File:Mv Fairweather 780.jpg|left|thumb|MV ''Fairweather'' passing [[Sentinel Island Light]] in [[Favorite Channel]]]] ''Fairweather'' left Bridgeport on March 3, 2004. She sailed through the Panama Canal and stopped for fuel in [[San Diego]] and [[Seattle]], among other ports. Her builder, Derecktor, delivered the vessel to Alaska where ownership was transferred to the state. She remained under warranty for 18 months.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 17, 2004|title=New Fast Ferry Gets Repairs|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-mar-17-2004-p-3/}}</ref>
''Fairweather'' was originally planned for a [[Sitka]]-Juneau high speed ferry link, with the ship homeported in Sitka.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 1, 2000|title=DOT to Outline Plan For Sitka Fast Ferry|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-nov-01-2000-p-1/}}</ref> However, the state changed its plans and decided to homeport the ferry in Juneau, creating an uproar in Sitka.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 23, 2003|title=Board Picks Juneau, Not Sitka, for Ferry|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-sep-23-2003-p-1/}}</ref> A complement of about 24 jobs with a $1 million payroll went to whichever community was her homeport.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Andrew|date=January 8, 2004|title=Sitka's Ferry Loss Is Millions for Juneau|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-jan-08-2004-p-1/}}</ref> ''Fairweather'''s route was changed to a compromise between the communities that desired the improved service. She served the [[Lynn Canal]] route (Juneau to [[Haines, Alaska|Haines]] and Skagway) four days a week and Sitka-Juneau route three days a week. She began her first commercial run at 7 am on June 7, 2004. ''Fairweather'' sailed from Juneau to Haines on her maiden voyage.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 8, 2004|title=Inaugural Service|work=[[Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]]|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-daily-news-miner-jun-08-2004-p-5/}}</ref>
The ship had a number of early technical issues. On her trip from Bridgeport to Alaska, she stopped in [[Acapulco]] for repairs to a faulty engine computer. In September 2004 one of her engines failed because improperly installed parts caused water to leak into the exhaust system.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 22, 2004|title=Fairweather Taken Out of Service After Accident|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-sep-22-2004-p-1/}}</ref> Still under warranty, the engine was replaced by November 2004.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 10, 2004|title=Fast Ferry To Return To Service|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-nov-10-2004-p-1/}}</ref> The large, open ducts that fed seawater into the jet pumps sucked in tree-sized logs which jammed their operation.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 7, 2004|title=New Fast Ferry Sucks Logs Into Jet System|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-jun-07-2004-p-3/}}</ref> In January 2006 the ship was drydocked for annual maintenance and it was found that the steel cylinder sleeves in her aluminum engine blocks had cracked, allowing coolant into the cylinders. Further, damage was detected in the reduction gears between the engines and water jets. ''Fairweather'' was under repair until early July 2006, when she returned to service with three new engines, four new reduction gears, and four new drive shafts.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 28, 2006|title=Fast Ferry Fairweather Ready to Set Sail Again|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-jun-28-2006-p-1/}}</ref> [[File:Alaska Fairweather 770.jpg|thumb|MV ''Fairweather'' near Poundstone Rock nearing [[Auke Bay]] ferry terminal|alt=]] There were also significant labor difficulties early in her career.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 14, 2003|title=Unions File Complaint On Fast-Ferry Contracts|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-nov-14-2003-p-6/}}</ref> ''Fairweather's'' speed markedly changed her staffing needs from those of traditional ferries. The slower, traditional ships in the Alaska Marine Highway System had multiple crews covering multiple shifts, while Fairweather could complete her run and return home on the same day using a single shift. Bargaining with the Inlandboatman's Union, the [[Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association]], and the [[International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots]] broke down and ''Fairweather'' was idled in January 2005. An agreement between the state and the unions was finally reached in March 2005 and the ferry resumed service.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Volz|first=Matt|date=March 9, 2005|title=Unions Agree to Deal On Ferry Fairweather|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-mar-09-2005-p-1/}}</ref>
''Fairweather's'' routing changed over the years to provide more or less service to various Southeast Alaska ports. As a general matter, she sailed less in the winter when early darkness made avoiding floating logs that would jam the water jets difficult, and when travel in Southeast Alaska reached a low point. One thing that did not change was trouble with her engines. On October 1, 2008 she began an engine overhaul project that was funded with $5 million of federal capital improvement funds.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 3, 2009|title=Sitka's Ferry Service Thrown Off for May|work=Sitka Dail Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-mar-03-2009-p-1/}}</ref> The project was substantially delayed for lack of replacement parts. Only about 150 of these engines were ever manufactured and the only 8 in the state of Alaska were aboard ''Fairweather'' and ''Chenega''.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 28, 2009|title=New Ferry Schedule Draws Sitka Protests|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-may-28-2009-p-7/}}</ref> By the time the needed parts were ordered and could be delivered, ''Fairweather's'' return to service was delayed until July 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 10, 2009|title=Ferry Chenega Back In Service|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-jun-10-2009-p-21/}}</ref> In 2010 the state sued Derecktor and MTU for unspecified damages related to the ongoing engine problems.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Forgey|first=Pat|date=March 30, 2010|title=State Sues Boat Maker Over Fast Ferry Flaws|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-mar-30-2010-p-1/}}</ref> In March 2013, a month before the suit was to go to trial, an agreement was reached between the state and MTU. The engine manufacturer agreed to replace the ship's engines and offered a number of maintenance-related options on the new engines.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 2, 2013|title=Settlement in Alaska fast ferry lawsuit|work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-daily-news-miner-mar-02-2013-p-9/}}</ref> Pursuant to this agreement, in 2014 ''Fairweather'' was repowered, replacing the four original MTU 16V595 engines with the current MTU 20V 4000 M73L engines.<ref name="Marine Log" />
During the winter of 2018-2019 ''Fairweather'' operated in Prince William Sound between [[Cordova, Alaska|Cordova]], [[Valdez, Alaska|Valdez]], and [[Whittier, Alaska|Whittier]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 13, 2018|title=Fast Ferry Leaves SE; Destination Uncertain|work=Daily Sitka Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-sitka-sentinel-sep-13-2018-p-1/}}</ref> In April 2019, the ship sailed to [[Ward Cove, Alaska|Ward Cove]], near [[Ketchikan, Alaska|Ketchikan]], and was idled.
==Retirement from Alaskan service== ''Fairweather'' and the Alaska Marine Highway System in general have always been subsidized by the State of Alaska. In 2009, one official commented that ticket sales on ''Fairweather'' did not even cover her fuel costs.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Giammona|first=Craig|date=April 16, 2009|title=Ferry Design Talks Turn to Scheduling Issue|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-apr-16-2009-p-1/}}</ref> State funding for the ferry system peaked in the 2012 fiscal year at $111.2 million and was gradually reduced to $56 million in 2020, in part forced by a reduction in state tax revenues from oil extraction. Passenger traffic on the ferry system fell from 350,000 in 1998 to 251,000 in 2018, as more travelers opted for air travel. Car and truck traffic on the ferries remained stable.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-14|title=Aging fleet and declining ridership plague Alaska's public ferry system|url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2019/11/14/aging-fleet-and-declining-ridership-plague-alaskas-public-ferry-system/|access-date=2020-08-06|website=Anchorage Daily News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Siroky|first1=Mary|url=http://www.akleg.gov/basis/get_documents.asp?session=31&docid=22169|title=Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) Overview|last2=McLaren|first2=Matt|last3=Holland|first3=Amanda|publisher=[[Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities]]|year=2019}}</ref> All of these factors put ''Fairweather'' at a disadvantage. Her high speed could not compete with airlines, and produced higher operating costs than traditional ferries. Her high speed came at the sacrifice of carrying heavy loads, leaving her with more limited capacity for cars and trucks than traditional ferries.
In late 2006, the Alaska Marine Highway System began a study for a new Lynn Canal ferry.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://omb.alaska.gov/ombfiles/13_budget/Trans/Proposed/2013proj48310.pdf|title=Alaska Marine Highway System - Alaska Class Ferry|publisher=State of Alaska|year=2011}}</ref> This ultimately resulted in the construction of two Alaska-class ferries, [[MV Tazlina|MV ''Tazlina'']] and MV ''Hubbard''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alaska Class Ferry Vessels|url=https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/fleet/acf_project.shtml|access-date=2020-08-06|website=dot.alaska.gov}}</ref> In 2019 the Alaska Marine Highway System replaced ''Fairweather'' with MV ''Tazlina'' on the Juneau-Skagway-Haines route. While ''Tazlina'' requires twice as long to complete the round-trip as ''Fairweather'', she can carry 53 cars instead of 31, and the state expects to save $400,000 per year in fuel costs.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 4, 2019|title=State Plans to Sell 2 Ferries, Buy 1 to Travel Lynn Canal|work=Daily Sitka Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-sitka-sentinel-apr-04-2019-p-1/}}</ref> In October 2019 the State of Alaska issued a public notice seeking a broker to sell ''Fairweather''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fast Vehicle Ferry Brokerage Services - Alaska Online Public Notices|url=https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=195694|access-date=2020-08-06|website=aws.state.ak.us}}</ref>
In March 2021 she was sold by the [[Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities]] to Servicios y Concesiones Maritimas Ibicencas along with sister ship [[MV Chenega|MV ''Chenega'']] for service in the [[Balearic Islands]] of [[Spain]]. ''Fairweather'' was sold for $2,063,333. Her new owner, ferry service ''Trasmapi'', hired a [[heavy-lift ship]], ''Red Zed 1'',<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sentinel|first=Wrangell|title=Your ride is here|url=https://www.wrangellsentinel.com/story/2021/04/08/about-town/your-ride-is-here/8513.html|access-date=2021-07-04|website=Wrangell Sentinel|language=en}}</ref> to carry the two ferries to Spain rather than having them sail there under their own power.<ref>[https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2021/PR21-0006.shtml Alaska Marine Highway System Sells Fast Ferries] [[Government of Alaska]] March 11, 2021</ref><ref>Alaska Ferries off to Spain ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' May 2021 page 6</ref> The two ships were loaded aboard ''Red Zed 1'' on June 25, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ketchikan|first=Eric Stone, KRBD-|date=2021-06-26|title=Former Alaska ferries begin journey to Spain|url=https://www.ktoo.org/2021/06/26/former-alaska-ferries-begin-journey-to-spain/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=KTOO|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Spanish service == In the summer of 2022, Trasmapi began a new ferry service between [[Alcúdia|Alcudia]] on [[Mallorca]], and [[Ciutadella de Menorca|Ciutadella]] on [[Menorca]] using ''Fairweather''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ibiza Ferry Company Trasmapi Will Link Mallorca And Menorca In Summer 2022 – Diario De Ibiza News |url=https://www.diariodeibiza.com/world/travel/trasmapi-mallorca-menorca-2022/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=www.diariodeibiza.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> The ship was repainted in the colors of her new owner, but is still named ''Fairweather''. This service is branded, "The Menorca Lines by Trasmapi". The trip takes 75 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menorca Lines, fast ferry Alcudia Ciutadella |url=https://www.menorcalines.com/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=www.menorcalines.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline|IMO 9265809}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fairweather}} [[Category:Alaska Marine Highway System vessels]] [[Category:Ferries of Spain]] [[Category:2003 ships]] [[Category:Ships built in Bridgeport, Connecticut]] [[Category:Ferries of Greece]]