MV Lituya

{{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = MV_Lituya.jpg | image_caption = ''Lituya'' in 2012 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = United States | flag = {{shipboxflag|United States|civil}} | name = M/V ''Lituya'' | namesake = [[Lituya Glacier]], adjacent to [[Lituya Bay]] | owner = | operator = Alaska Marine Highway System | registry = | route = [[Metlakatla, Alaska|Metlakatla]]–[[Ketchikan, Alaska|Ketchikan]] | ordered = | awarded = | builder = [[Conrad Shipyard]], [[Morgan City, Louisiana]] | original_cost = | yard_number = | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = 2004 | sponsor = | christened = December 13, 2004 | completed = | acquired = | commissioned = | decommissioned = | maiden_voyage = | in_service = | out_of_service = | renamed = | reclassified = | refit = | struck = | reinstated = | homeport = [[Metlakatla, Alaska|Metlakatla]], [[Alaska]] | identification = *{{IMO Number|9283148}} *{{MMSI Number|366919560}} *[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: WDB6180 *Official Number: 1148179 | motto = | nickname = | status = {{Ship in active service}} | notes = | badge = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | type = | tonnage = 758 gross tonnage | displacement = 647 long tons | length = {{convert|181|ft|m|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} | height = | draft = {{convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on}} | depth = | hold_depth = | decks = One vehicle deck | deck_clearance = | ramps = Port, starboard, and aft [[Roll-on/roll-off|ro-ro]] loading | ice_class = | power = 2 x Caterpillar 3508 B Diesel engines | propulsion = 2 x 3-bladed fixed-pitch propellers | speed = {{convert|11.5|kn|lk=in}} | range = | endurance = | boats = | capacity = *123 passengers *15 vehicles | crew = 5 | notes = }} }} '''MV ''Lituya''''' is a shuttle [[ferry]] operated by the [[Alaska Marine Highway System]]. Her route connects [[Metlakatla, Alaska|Metlakatla]] on [[Annette Island]] to [[Ketchikan, Alaska|Ketchikan]].

== Construction and characteristics ==

The state of Alaska issued contracts for a ferry dock at Metlakatla in 1973.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 21, 1977|title=Lundgren sues state over pacts|work=Fairbanks Daily News Miner|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-daily-news-miner-nov-21-1977-p-2/}}</ref> The town was originally served by Alaska Marine Highway System ferry [[MV Chilkat|M/V ''Chilkat'']]. The terminal was later modified for use by [[MV LeConte|M/V ''LeConte'']] and [[MV Aurora (1977)|M/V ''Aurora'']] instead.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 3, 1986|title=State Looks Into Longer Layover for Sitka's Saturday Ferry|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-nov-03-1986-p-10/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=October 8, 1985|title=Invitation To Bid|work=Fairbanks Daily News Miner|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-daily-news-miner-oct-08-1985-p-22/}}</ref> During the summer there were several stops a week, but in the winter, the town had one ferry visit per week.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 5, 2001|title=State Ferry for Metlakatla Set|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-dec-05-2001-p-7/}}</ref> Metlakatla residents argued for daily service, so that people could commute to work in Ketchikan. The state of Alaska issued a request for proposals for the design of a Metlakatla ferry on May 30, 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 1, 2000|title=Invitation To Bid|work=Fairbanks Daily News Miner|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-daily-news-miner-jun-01-2000-p-17/}}</ref> The Alaska Legislature appropriated $3 million for a new ferry and $880,000 for a new ferry terminal for it to dock at as part of the state's 2001 budget.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alaska State Legislature|url=http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/Bill/Text/22?Hsid=SB0029B|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.legis.state.ak.us}}</ref>

''Lituya'' was designed by Coastwise Engineering<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=AMHS Shuttle Ferry Provides Exclusive Service {{!}} Coastwise Corporation|date=15 November 2017 |url=https://www.coastwise.com/project/amhs-shuttle-ferry-provides-exclusive-service/|access-date=2020-08-11|language=en-US}}</ref> of Juneau, Alaska in 2001. She was built by [[Conrad Shipyards]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Falgout|first=Vicki|title=Ferries|url=https://www.conradindustries.com/projects/ferries/|access-date=2020-08-11|website=Conrad Shipyard|language=en-US}}</ref> in [[Morgan City, Louisiana|Morgan City]], [[Louisiana]], which won the contract in November 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sitnews -Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska - News: Governor Signs Bill Naming New State Ferry "Lituya"|url=http://www.sitnews.us/0803news/080803pm/080803_lituya.html|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.sitnews.us}}</ref> She was [[Ceremonial ship launching|christened]] In Morgan City on December 13, 2004 by Carolyn Leman, wife of Alaska Lieutenant Governor [[Loren Leman]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stories in the News (Sitnews) - Ketchikan, Alaska - News, Features, Opinions...|url=http://www.sitnews.us/1203news/121303/121303_lituya.html|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.sitnews.us}}</ref> Her contract price was $9.5 million.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Stories In The News - Inaugural ceremony for M/V Lituya scheduled for May 4 in Metlakatla|url=http://www.sitnews.us/0404news/041304/041304_lituya.html|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.sitnews.us}}</ref>

''Lituya'' is {{Convert|181|ft|m|abbr=}} long, with a beam of {{Convert|50|ft|m|abbr=}}, and a full-load draft of {{Convert|12|ft|m|abbr=}}. Her displacement is 647 long tons. Her gross tonnage calculated under international rules is 758, while her U.S. register tonnage is 97.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/vess_info_table.pdf|title=Vessel Information Table|publisher=Alaska Martine Highway System}}</ref> Her hull is constructed of welded steel plates.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2003-07-23|title=Feature: Conrad Building New Ferry for AMHS|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/building-feature-conrad306771|access-date=2020-08-13|website=MarineLink|language=en}}</ref>

For propulsion, ''Lituya'' has two [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] 3508 B diesel engines rated at 1000 hp. These drive two three-bladed fixed-pitch propellers which are {{Convert|6|ft|m|abbr=}} in diameter. Electrical power aboard is provided by a Caterpillar 3304 generator which is rated at 105 kW. Her 200 hp [[Manoeuvring thruster|bow thruster]] is powered by a Caterpillar 3406 C engine which can also be used as a back-up electrical generator.<ref name=":4" /> She cruises at 11.5 knots, at which speed she burns 55 gallons of diesel fuel per hour.<ref name=":2" />

''Lituya'' has an open vehicle deck with {{Convert|300|ft|m|abbr=}} of lanes which can accommodate 15 standard-sized vehicles. The open vehicle deck saves money by reducing various regulatory requirements<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 5, 2002|title=State Contracts To Build Ferry For Metlakatla|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-dec-05-2002-p-5/}}</ref> and allows for over-height vehicles, but users dislike having their cars covered in salt spray. She has a passenger capacity of 125. She is intended for day use only on her short route so there are no crew quarters or passenger staterooms. There is no food service aboard.<ref name=":2" />

She normally sails with a crew of 5.<ref name=":2" />

All Alaska Marine Highway ferries are named after Alaskan glaciers. ''Lituya'' is named for the [[Lituya Glacier]] near [[Lituya Bay]]. She received her name through an essay contest for Metlakatla grade-school children. Second-grader Josiah Milne won the contest for suggesting the name in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sitnews -Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska - News: Governor Signs Bill Naming New State Ferry "Lituya"|url=http://www.sitnews.us/0803news/080803pm/080803_lituya.html|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.sitnews.us}}</ref>

== Operating history == ''Lituya'' began making two roundtrips per day between Metlakatla and Ketchikan in the spring of 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 31, 2009|title=High winds force state ferry grounding near Metlakatla|work=Fairbanks Daily News Miner|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-daily-news-miner-jan-31-2009-p-11/}}</ref>

During the night of January 30, 2009, the ship came loose from its moorings in Metlakatla while unmanned. She drifted about a mile, running up on Scrub Island in Port Chester harbor. Winds at the time averaged {{convert|26|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} with gusts to {{convert|80|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}; seas were {{convert|8|ft|m}}. Two tugs and [[USCGC Anthony Petit (WLM-558)|USCGC ''Anthony Petit'']] were dispatched to assist in refloating ''Lituya''. The hull was intact but for a small leak in a forward void which the ship's pumps easily handled. The port [[keel cooler]] appeared to be leaking coolant.<ref>{{cite news|last=Halpin|first=James|date=2009-01-30|title=State ferry's hull intact after grounding|work=[[Anchorage Daily News]]|url=http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/673173.html|url-status=dead|accessdate=2009-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131220101/http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/673173.html|archive-date=2009-01-31}}</ref> About 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled, likely from a tank vent when the ship listed while aground.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2,000 gallons of fuel unaccounted for following ferry grounding {{!}} Coast Guard News|url=https://coastguardnews.com/2000-gallons-of-fuel-unaccounted-for-following-ferry-grounding/2009/02/04/|access-date=2020-08-13|website=coastguardnews.com}}</ref> The ship was towed to Ketchikan for repairs.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 5, 2009|title=2,000 gallons of diesel unaccounted for after ferry Lituya's grounding|work=Juneau Empire|url=http://juneauempire.com/stories/020509/sta_385027103.shtml}}</ref>

Metlakatla residents began working on a road to the north end of Annette Island as early as 1946 in order to reduce sailing times to Ketchikan.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last1=Allen|first1=Brian G.|last2=Wilson|first2=William|date=September 2002|title=Walden Point Road Project, Metlakatla, Alaska|url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec039.pdf|journal=Transportation Research Circular|publisher=Transportation Research Board of the National Academies|pages=74–76}}</ref> During the early 1990s they met with a number of state and federal authorities regarding the project. A critical connection was made with the Department of Defense which sought projects for its "Innovative Readiness Training Program". It saw the project as "Operation Alaskan Road", a real-world exercise for its engineers and mechanics that simulated the rough conditions of the Korean Peninsula. The state of Alaska was also interested in the project and commissioned a cost/benefit study of the road in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 2, 1995|title=Invitation To Bid|work=Fairbanks Daily News Miner|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-daily-news-miner-oct-02-1995-p-20/}}</ref> This work resulted in a memorandum of agreement between multiple federal and state authorities and the Metlakatla Indian Community which was signed on May 29, 1997.<ref name=":3" /> Construction began during the summer of 1997 on the 14.5 mile Walden Point Road from Metlakatla in the south of Annette Island to Annette Bay in the north.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perry|first=Tony|date=August 14, 1998|title=Marines hit Alaska for Korea-like construction|work=Centralia Chronicle|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/centralia-chronicle-aug-14-1998-p-8/}}</ref> The road took ten years to build and was dedicated in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 6, 2007|title=Senator Stevens Speaks at Walden Point Road Dedication|url=https://votesmart.org/public-statement/281701/senator-stevents-speaks-at-walden-point-road-dedication#.XzRSuy2z1hE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Defense.gov News Article: Troops Create Lifeline to Alaskan Village|url=https://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47243|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930234304/http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47243|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2015|access-date=2020-08-12|website=United States Department of Defense}}</ref> Over 12,000 military personnel worked on the road during its construction. Funding from the Department of Defense alone totaled $75 million.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bonham Colby|first=Nicole A.|date=April 2012|title=Walden Point Road|url=https://irt.defense.gov/Portals/57/Documents/news/Alaska%20Business%20Monthly_April%202012.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918200322/http://irt.defense.gov/Portals/57/Documents/news/Alaska%20Business%20Monthly_April%202012.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 18, 2014|journal=Alaska Business Monthly|pages=56–60}}</ref>

The state of Alaska built a new $10 million ferry terminal at the end of the Walden Point Road. In July 2013 ''Lituya'' began using the new terminal, cutting travel time to Ketchikan in half.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 5, 2013|title=New Metlakatla Ferry Dock to be Money Saver?|work=Sitka Daily Sentinel|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-jul-05-2013-p-6/}}</ref> In January 2017 fare collection policies were changed. Established fares were doubled from Ketchikan to Annette Bay while the trip back was free. This allowed tickets to be sold only in the more-developed Ketchikan terminal, saving time and effort.<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>

''Lituya'' was diverted from her normal schedule in May and June 2020. The [[Inter-Island Ferry Authority|Inter-Island Ferry Authority's]] ship [[MV Prince of Wales|M/V ''Prince of Wales'']] suffered a major propulsion system failure while her sister ship [[MV Stikine|M/V ''Stikine'']] was already in the shipyard for repairs. This left [[Prince of Wales Island (Alaska)|Prince of Wales Island]] without ferry service. ''Lituya'' made several runs on the [[Hollis, Alaska|Hollis]] - Ketchikan route before ''Stikine'' could be returned to service.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=July 2020|title=Prince of Wales Ferry Service Interrupted|journal=Pacific Maritime Magazine|pages=13}}</ref> In a similar manner, Inter-Island Ferry Authority ships have provided service to Annette Island when ''Lituya'' was under repair.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Public Announcements|url=https://interislandferry.com/public-announcements/|access-date=2020-08-13|website=Inter-Island Ferry Authority|language=en-US}}</ref>

''Lituya'' has been well-used and relatively economical over the years. In 2006, for example, she embarked 28,302 passengers and 7,554 vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2012 System Analysis|url=https://issuu.com/alaskamarinehighwaysystem/docs/system_analysis/1|access-date=2020-08-11|website=issuu|date=25 January 2019 }}</ref> From 2007 to 2009 the average annual cost of operating ''Lituya'' was $1,569,000.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://dot.alaska.gov/sereg/projects/satp/assets/EBDGShuttleStudy011810.pdf|title=Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan Shuttle Ferry Study|publisher=Elliott Bay Design Group|year=2010}}</ref> Like all ships in the Alaska Marine Highway System, she is subsidized by the state of Alaska. A 2020 study found that ''Lituya'' comes closest to breaking even, but still requires an annual subsidy of $370,000.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://dot.alaska.gov/project_info/docs/reshapingAMHS/Reshaping-AMHS-draft.pdf|title=Draft: Reshaping the Alaska Marine Highway System|publisher=Northern Economics, Inc.|year=2020|location=Anchorage, Alaska}}</ref>

In August 2020, ''Lituya'' was scheduled to complete two round-trips per day, five days per week. Each one-way sailing between Ketchikan and Annette Bay takes about 45 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=OARS Calendar|url=https://dot.alaska.gov/oars/reservations/CalendarFM.amhsf?selectMonth=August+2020&selectPort=All+Ports&selectVessel=M/V+Lituya&action=Get+Schedule|access-date=2020-08-12|website=www.dot.alaska.gov}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lituya}} [[Category:Alaska Marine Highway System vessels]] [[Category:2004 ships]] [[Category:Ships built in Morgan City, Louisiana]]