The M/V Columbia heads north along the Inside Passage on May, 14, 2018. (Photo by Gillfoto/Wikimedia Commons)
The M/V Columbia heads north along the Inside Passage on May, 14, 2018. (Photo by Gillfoto/Wikimedia Commons)

The Alaska state ferry Columbia — which has been out of service since late November for its annual overhaul and repairs but was supposed to go back to work this summer — will be laid up until the end of the year.

Extensive corrosion in the 51-year-old ship’s fire suppression system is the reason for the extra time…