Years of neglect and rust may swamp state ferry system

As if years of political interference and, for many elected officials, disinterest weren’t enough to sink the Alaska Marine Highway System, rust and age could finish the job.

Maybe the answer is some duct tape to keep the ships running just a little longer until they turn 65 years old and could qualify for Medicare.

But that’s too long to wait — the marine highway needs urgent care.

The ships are aging, which is a polite way of saying they are long past their prime and getting older and rustier. Salt water accelerates the process.

The Matanuska, age 62, went into the shop last year for the equ...