The Alaska Legislature's Senate Transportation Committee convened on March 4, 2025, to discuss critical operational updates and safety measures for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). The meeting focused on safety statistics, reliability challenges, and maintenance improvements within the fleet.

The session began with a presentation on AMHS's safety goals, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring no harm comes to people, equipment, or the environment. For the year 2024, AMHS reported a total of 51 injuries, categorized for analysis to promote continual improvement. Notably, the system achieved zero spills during operations, although there were six customer-related spills at terminals, primarily due to leaking vehicles. All spills were contained effectively before reaching drainage systems.

The discussion then shifted to operational reliability, where committee members addressed the aging fleet's challenges. The LaConte vessel is currently undergoing repairs due to significant rust issues, delaying its return to service until July. The Columbia faced extensive downtime last year due to a fire main replacement, while the Aurora is also scheduled for maintenance to address rusted fire main piping. The Tustamin has experienced delays due to structural repairs.

To enhance maintenance efficiency, AMHS has implemented a new computer maintenance management system. This system alerts engineers to necessary maintenance tasks, ensuring compliance with manufacturer specifications. The committee noted that in 2024, AMHS achieved an impressive 98.51% uptime for operational vessels, with a goal of reaching 99% in the future.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing safety and reliability improvements, highlighting the importance of maintaining high operational standards in Alaska's marine transportation system. The next steps include continued monitoring of safety statistics and further enhancements to the maintenance management system.