LeConte repairs costly

The Alaska state ferry LeConte has returned to service after months of costly work to repair damage when the vessel was grounded in Peril Strait. Doug Ward of Alaska Ship and Drydock said the repairs were expected to cost about $3 million but were closer to $4 million. The cost includes annual maintenance on the vessel.

The 1974 built LeConte ran aground on Cozian Reef in Peril Strait on 10 May and, after salvagers refloated the vessel off the reef a week later, it was towed to the Ketchikan Shipyard for repairs. The ferry was going from Angoon to Sitka when it ran aground and eighty-six passengers and 23 crew had to be evacuated. Workers patched and plugged the leaks in the ship?s hull so it could be towed to Ketchikan. Divers found two gashes between 30 feet and 40 feet long on both sides of the ship’s keel.

A Coast Guard investigation revealed that the crew made a decision to change course and veer close to Baranof Island before striking the reef. The crew decided to navigate between Otstoia Island and Baranof Island and failed to see a navigation aid marking the proper route past the reef.