If the current governor fully intends to kill the AMHS via multiple amputations, communities in the regions served need to be on the watch for the next vessel to be sold off (other than the fast ferries) for scrap and start buying them up. The last sale, the Taku sold for $171,000 and this boat, and others like it might be vital to SEAK’s very survival in the years to come! This last sale, the Taku probably has a replacement cost up in the 100’s of millions so once they are gone to the scrappers they are not coming back. I hate what is becoming of the once proud “Marine Highway”, but it seems now that if the service isn’t dead this winter, next year it likely will be. An “Inner channel” system, ran by the communities served may be the only option. If the LeConte, or even the MAT or MAL come up on the block we should get first option to buy, and leave them anchored somewhere till that day comes.

Dave Nussbaumer

Haines, AK

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