Columbia ferry remains in Ketchikan due to engine trouble, as replacement part late to arrive

Mainline vessel was scheduled to return to service Sunday after missing a week of sailings; update resumption schedule not published as of Monday morning

The Columbia state ferry. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

This is a developing story.

The Columbia state ferry remains in Ketchikan with Monday, more than a week after its sailings were halted due to engine trouble, with resumption of service unknown due to a delay in the arrival of an engine part.

"The M/V Columbia remains in Ketchikan as crews work to repair its port main engine," a service notice published at the Alaska Marine Highway website on Monday notes. "The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) has made significant progress in securing the critical replacement part needed to complete repairs and return the vessel to service."

"A new piston, sourced directly from the manufacturer in Germany, is now in transit via priority air freight. With assistance from air cargo partners, the part is scheduled to arrive at Ketchikan International Airport on Monday morning, November 9, 2026."

The ferry system’s schedule for the Columbia was not updated at of 7 a.m. Monday. It shows a 1 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 8) departure from Ketchikan toward ports further north in Southeast Alaska.

Ferry officials announced last Monday that "AMHS has secured the necessary spare parts, and a specialized Wärtsilä technician will be in Ketchikan on Thursday to perform the repairs alongside our engineering crew." The updated service notice did not provide details, beyond noting the part still being shipped, about the delay.

The 52-year-old Columbia returned to providing mainline service between Bellingham, Washington, and Southeast Alaska in June after a seven-month layup period for maintenance. It has suffered two breakdowns during the past month, the first occurring a few weeks ago when it departed Bellingham more than a day late due to engine trouble and skipped some Southeast Alaska stops as a result.

Ferry officials a week ago said passengers aboard the Columbia could remain aboard while the current engine problems were repaired and that alternative transportation arrangements would be made for other passengers.

About 70 passengers were traveling northbound when it broke down, according to KRBD public radio.

"Many passengers are choosing to stay on board," the station reported last Monday. "The crew is offering free food and even shuttled a handful of passengers to Ketchikan’s Gateway Recreation Center so they could vote in the general election."

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.