Alaska ferry delayed 3 days, engine problems blamed

JUNEAU (AP) — Those who had hoped to catch a ride on the Alaska ferry Columbia Tuesday should be able to depart sometime Friday.

The ferry was supposed to make stops in Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg, Ketchikan and eventually Bellingham, Washington, but it never left port Tuesday.

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities spokesman Jeremy Woodrow called the three-day delay “unusual,” reported The Juneau Empire.

“Usually it's just a few hours,” he said. “We're a little more confident with (today's departure).”

Woodrow said a technician is working to repair the starboard main engine...