M.A.L.A.S.pina
THE HOME OF
MAD ALASKAN LOCALS AGAINST THE SALE OF THE MALASPINA
Columbia return to service delayed until July 4
Updated 5-22-2001
The Malaspina will return to Lynn Canal service on May 24 following her annual overhaul at Ketchikan shipyard, and then proceed to Ketchikan and Bellingham on May 29-30 to assume the Columbia's route while that ship is being renovated. In early July, the Malaspina travels from Ketchikan to Juneau to resume her service on the Lynn Canal route when the Columbia returns to service more than a year after a fire laid her up at Ketchikan.
Here again we see the necessity of upgrading the Malaspina to meet all international safety requirements. If state officials aren't convinced by now that they need to upgrade the Malaspina, I don't know what will convince them.
1. Such renovations will increase the value of the Malaspina.
2. The vessel will be able to return to service on the Prince Rupert route if necessary. (The Malaspina would need to return to the Prince Rupert run if the Kennicott were requisitioned as an emergency command vessel.)
3. The vessel will be able to operate indefinitely as safety requirements are phased in.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
1. Fire safety upgrades, such as sprinkler systems, smoke detection systems, and fire escape lighting.
2. Replacement of lifesaving equipment with partially enclosed lifeboats, rescue boat, marine evacuation chutes, person overboard rescue station, and self-righting liferafts.
3. Upgrades to the doors on the car deck and replacement of car deck portholes with steel plates.
4. Upgrades to ventilation system to provide 10 air changes per hour on the car deck.
The answer to this question is quite simple: It's a matter of economics. The Malaspina burns less fuel than the Kennicott, requires fewer crew members, and carries more vehicles on her car deck--which boils down to the fact that the Malaspina will cost less to run on the Bellingham run than the Kennicott will. The Kennicott, on the other hand, should serve as legislative headquarters in Juneau. The forward observation lounge could be the House floor and the theater lounge could be the Senate floor. The ship also has a full-service cafeteria, and enough cabins for the legislators and aides, so they don't have to scramble for housing when they get to Juneau. (Alternatively, the state could consider using the Kennicott for university housing at Auke Bay.)
Malaspina schedule for Summer 2000
Photo Gallery
Technical Specifications
Malaspina Chronology
List of Sources can be requested at malaspina_99@yahoo.com.
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